**Ilie Bolojan has served as Romania’s caretaker prime minister since his pro-European coalition government lost a no-confidence vote on 5 May 2026.** The Social Democratic Party (PSD) withdrew from the coalition in April, joined forces with the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) to pass the motion by a wide margin (281-4), and left Bolojan’s National Liberal Party (PNL)-led minority administration in power with limited authority. Negotiations for a replacement cabinet have stalled repeatedly through the summer. President Nicușor Dan’s earlier nominees failed to secure parliamentary majorities, and mainstream parties have ruled out renewed cooperation with the PSD while also avoiding deals that empower AUR. Bolojan has remained in office amid the deadlock, focusing on continuity for EU recovery funds (PNRR) and warning that prolonged interim status blocks needed budget revisions and legislative action. As of late August 2026, Parliament is set to resume sessions in September, prompting renewed coalition talks. PNL continues to back Siegfried Mureșan as its preferred candidate and has rejected scenarios such as a PSD-led government, while floating the possibility of snap elections if no majority emerges. Traders are therefore focused on whether September parliamentary activity can break the impasse or extend the caretaker period, with fiscal pressures, EU fund deadlines, and the risk of early polls serving as the main variables.