Romanian Social Democrats break coalition ranks and vote simple motion against environment minister

The Romanian Senate adopted a simple motion initiated against environment minister Diana Buzoianu on Monday, December 15. The motion passed after the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the largest party in the governing coalition, joined the far-right opposition party AUR in the initiative.

The vote for the simple motion was carried after a no-confidence motion filed against the entire government failed to gather the necessary votes. Shortly before the Senate session, PSD representatives stated that the party’s representatives in Parliament would vote against the no-confidence motion but would support the simple motion. Unlike the former, the simple motion does not automatically lead to the dismissal of the minister.