Political crisis deepens as Romanian lawmakers reject new government

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanian lawmakers late on Monday rejected a new government proposed by Prime Minister-designate Adrian Vestea, who had hoped to bring an end to the country’s protracted political crisis.

The vote in Parliament failed — with 189 votes for and 23 against — and more than half of lawmakers abstained. It needed at least 233 to pass. The outcome caps a monthslong political crisis that started when a no-confidence vote toppled the previous government in May.

Romanian President Nicusor Dan said he designated Vestea, a longtime member of the National Liberal Party, or PNL, to try to form a government based on his past administrative experience. Vestea was Dan's second prime ministerial nomination after his previous pick, Eugen Tomac, failed to present a cabinet within 10 days.

The failed confidence vote against Vestea’s proposed cabinet is expected to deepen a period of instability and turmoil, as the country currently faces one of the largest budget deficits in the European Union.

In a speech to lawmakers on Monday, Vestea said that Romania is going through “a complex period” and that there is a “distrust between the citizen and the state.”

The country faces "serious economic challenges, social tensions accumulated over years, an international context more unstable and risky than we have known for a long time,” he said. “But beyond all this, I believe that our real problem is something else — a crisis of trust.”

Vestea submitted his governing program and list of ministers to Parliament on Sunday.

But Dan did not consult Vestea's PNL before nominating him. Vestea’s proposed cabinet was backed by Parliament’s largest party, the Social Democratic Party, or PSD. But his own party refused to endorse him.

On Monday, Vestea held talks with the leader of the hard-right nationalist opposition party, the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, or AUR, saying it was necessary to resolve “an unprecedented crisis.”

AUR leader George Simion said after the meeting that his party would not back Vestea’s cabinet and AUR lawmakers left Parliament before casting ballots.

“For 35 years in Romania, betrayal has been the order of the day and has somehow become commonplace, part of everyday life,” Simion said in a speech in Parliament. “Those in this hall who are not traitors are leaving this hall synonymous with betrayal.”

PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu told journalists before voting had ended that his party would not likely support a minority government, and congratulated Vestea on “accepting to enter this battle.”

“There are others who were not even present at the vote … acting like moralists,” Grindeanu said, “but it is not my job to judge them.”

Cristian Andrei, a Bucharest-based political consultant, says that the vote mostly favors AUR, by showing “the mainstream parties are unable to govern.” He predicts the political crisis will drag on.

“There is a tough road ahead for finding a majority because the pro-Western parties are in a perpetual conflict,” he told The Associated Press. “Instability and populism win again. Trust in the mainstream politics is the victim again.”

President Dan will now have to nominate another candidate for the premiership. If the next designated prime minister fails to form a government, it could trigger snap elections. A general election is not scheduled until 2028.

Romania has one of the highest budget deficits in the EU and rampant inflation. When the coalition came to power in June 2025, it made reducing the budget deficit a priority.

McGrath reported from Leamington Spa, England.

Romanian Prime Minister designate Adrian Vestea, centre, listens to the national anthem during a joint parliament session called to give a vote of confidence for the new government team in Bucharest, Romania, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

George Simion, leader of the opposition right wing AUR alliance attends a joint parliament session ahead of a vote of confidence for the new government team led by Romanian Prime Minister designate Adrian Vestea, in Bucharest, Romania, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Romanian Prime Minister designate Adrian Vestea addresses a joint parliament session ahead of a vote of confidence for the new government team in Bucharest, Romania, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Romanian lawmakers raise their hands at the start of a joint parliament session ahead of a vote of confidence for the new government team led by Romanian Prime Minister designate Adrian Vestea, in Bucharest, Romania, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Matas Vokietaitis had 26 points and nine rebounds to help No. 7 Texas beat Grambling State 93-62 on Monday night.

Vokietaitis, a 7-foot junior, shot 8 for 12 from the field and made 10 of 12 free throws in 23 minutes. He leads the Longhorns (3-0) in scoring at 21.3 points per game.

Joe Sterling added 13 points and Marcus Spears Jr. had 12, both off the bench. Elyjah Freeman provided 11 points and six rebounds, and David Punch finished with 10 points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

Vokietaitis was the only Longhorns player with more than seven field-goal attempts.

Texas, driving and posting up inside, outscored Grambling State 46-18 in the paint. The Longhorns had a 14-0 edge in fast-break points.

Mekhi Fitts led Grambling State (1-1) with 13 points, and Antoine Shannon had 12.

Sterling picked up three fouls in six first-half minutes. But he was productive during that stretch, scoring all 13 of his points and adding three assists and two steals. He went 3 of 4 on 3-pointers.

Another freshman, Bo Ogden, was 2 of 3 from long distance as the Longhorns finished the half at 6 for 12 and with a 55-27 lead.

Grambling was much less efficient on 3s, missing 12 of 17 in the half. Isaiah Miranda, a 7-foot-2 senior, played primarily on the perimeter and missed all six of his 3-point attempts after going 4 of 5 while scoring 29 points in the Tigers' 89-87 win against Northern Illinois a week earlier.

Miranda also had difficulty on defense, picking up three fouls in the first three minutes — two while guarding Vokietaitis inside. The foul trouble restricted Miranda to nine minutes in the half. He finished with eight points in 23 minutes.

Grambling State visits No. 24 Kentucky next Monday.

Texas faces Baylor on Sunday in San Antonio.

Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full men’s basketball coverage here

Texas center Matas Vokietaitis (8) scores between Grambling State guard Antonio Shannon (0) and forward Isaiah Miranda (14) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Austin, Texas, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)