Romanian lawmakers on Wednesday rejected a proposed center-right Cabinet led by designated Prime Minister Siegfried Muresan, prolonging the country’s political crisis and raising the possibility of early elections.

The proposed government received 182 votes in favour and 15 against, falling well short of the 233 votes needed for parliamentary approval.

Muresan, 45, had proposed a reform-focused government led by his National Liberal Party (PNL), with support from the Save Romania Union (USR) and the ethnic Hungarian UDMR.

The political crisis has gripped Romania since May, when Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s government was ousted in a no-confidence vote jointly filed by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the nationalist Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR).

Both parties had said they would not back Muresan’s Cabinet.

President Nicusor Dan has warned that early elections would prolong instability and urged political parties to resolve the crisis. Under Romania’s constitution, the president can dissolve Parliament if lawmakers reject two Cabinet proposals within 60 days of the first rejection.

The next parliamentary election is scheduled for 2028.

The latest political uncertainty comes as Romania, a NATO and EU member, faces security concerns including increased drone incursions linked to Russia’s war in neighbouring Ukraine.

Muresan has said early elections could become necessary if the deadlock continues, arguing that a fresh mandate would be preferable to prolonged political uncertainty.

Political consultant Cristian Andrei said the next prime ministerial nomination could potentially shift Romania’s pro-European political orientation toward right-wing populism, depending on which parties form the next government.