The Cîțu Cabinet was the 131st government of Romania, led by the national liberal (PNL) Prime Minister Florin Cîțu. It was removed from office after a motion of no confidence passed by the Parliament with a record of 281 votes, the largest number of votes on a motion of no confidence since the Romanian Revolution.
Cîțu Cabinet | |
|---|---|
 131st Cabinet of Romania | |
 Cabinet members at the swearing-in ceremony | |
| Date formed | 23 December 2020 |
| Date dissolved | 25 November 2021 |
| People and organisations | |
| Head of state | Klaus Iohannis |
| Head of government | Florin Cîțu |
| Deputy head of government | Ilie Dan Barna (until 7 September 2021) Hunor Kelemen |
| No. of ministers | 18 |
| Member parties | PNL USR PLUS[note 1] (before 7 September 2021) UDMR/RMDSZ |
| Status in legislature |
Minority government (after 7 September 2021) 114 / 330 (35%) |
| Opposition parties | PSD AUR USR (since 7 September 2021) |
| Opposition leaders | Marcel Ciolacu George Simion Claudiu Târziu Dan Barna (7 September–1 October 2021) Dacian Cioloș (since 7 September 2021) |
| History | |
| Election | 2020 |
| Legislature term | 2020–2024 |
| Predecessor | Orban II |
| Successor | Ciucă |
Formation of the government and negotiations
editProcedure
editThe prime minister candidate, who is designated by the president,[2] has to request the investiture vote/vote of confidence from the legislature within 10 days from being appointed.[3]
Consultations with the president
editOn 6 December 2020, elections for a new Romanian Parliament took place. On 10 December 2020, the incumbent President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, invited all the parties that acceded into the newly elected Parliament, more specifically PSD, PNL, USR-PLUS, AUR, and UDMR/RMDSZ as well as the representatives of the national minorities for consultations at Cotroceni Palace on 14 December 2020.[4]
Political negotiations
editOn 7 December 2020, the leader of the UDMR/RMDSZ senators of the 2016–2020 legislature of the Romanian Parliament, Attila Cseke stated that Hunor Kelemen, the current president of the party, had talked to Klaus Iohannis and that they were awaiting for the finalisation of the count of the election votes.[5]
On 9 December 2020, EPP MEP from the PNL, Rareș Bogdan, was confident the government would be approved by 23 December, and that the cabinet would have between 16 and 18 ministries.[6]
The National Liberal Party (PNL), USR-PLUS, and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR/RMDSZ) had met at Vila Lac 1 on 12 December 2020 to negotiate on making up the coalition government proposition and on several key aspects: the collaboration in the parliament, the government positions, and the governance programme.[7] The UDMR were not prepared, nor willing to take any key function within the newly elected parliament.[8]
On 12 December 2020, political negotiations had reached a stalemate, since the liberals wanted Ludovic Orban to preside over the Chamber of Deputies, while USR-PLUS wanted Dan Barna to become its president.[9][10] On 15 December 2020, Dan Barna announced his desire for Cătălin Drulă to become the president of the Chamber of Deputies on behalf of USR PLUS,[11] which angered Ludovic Orban.[12]
Vote in the parliament
editAfter the president proposed Florin Cîțu to the position of Prime Minister on 22 December,[13][14] the proposed government was subsequently also brought to the parliament for the voting procedure on 23 December. All minister propositions had passed the hearings in the parliamentary commissions on the same day.[15] It was approved by the parliament, with 260 votes in favour and 183 votes against giving the Cîțu Cabinet confidence, more than the minimum 228 necessary votes.[16]
Fall of the government
editThe government was threatened as of result of the passing of the "National Anghel Saligny Investment Plan" (Romanian: Planul Național de Investiții Anghel Saligny) (or PNDL 3) and of the ousting of Justice Minister Stelian Ion.[17][18] On 3 September 2021, member of the coalition government, USR PLUS alongside opposition party AUR lodged a vote of no confidence against Florin Cîțu and his government entitled "The dismissal of the Cîțu Government, Romania's only chance to live!" (Romanian: Demiterea Guvernului Cîțu, singura șansă a României de a trăi!).[19] All ministers originating from USR PLUS resigned from their positions on 7 September 2021.[20]
On 4 October 2021, a day before the motion of no confidence, the Cîțu Cabinet had approved a multitude of government emergency ordinances (Romanian: Ordonanțe de urgență ale Guvernului, O.U.G.) and government decisions (Romanian: Hotărâri de Guvern, H.G.).[21]
The cabinet continued to function as a PNL-UDMR/RMDSZ minority government until 5 October 2021, when it was dissolved by a motion of no confidence entitled "Stop poverty, price increases and criminals! Down with the Cîțu Government!" (Romanian: Stop sărăciei, scumpirilor și penalilor! Jos Guvernul Cîțu!)[22] submitted by the Social Democratic Party (PSD),[23] with 281 votes "for" adoption, and a lack of abstentions and "against" votes. Out of a total of 466 members of parliament, only 318 showed up.[24] On the day of the motion, social democratic members of parliament brought a Superman hanging upside down, in a pool of blood - alluding to a social media post made by Florin Cîțu with the superhero. Deputy president of the PNL, Alina Gorghiu, reacted to the prop, saying it was a call to violence on Facebook.[25] Until the next cabinet was voted in the Parliament, the Cîțu cabinet continued on as an acting/ad interim government. It is the sixth post-revolutionary government in the recent history of Romania to be ousted through a motion of no confidence.[26]
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis reacted to the result of the vote by saying that the word "crisis" describes "present-day Romania" the best. Negotiations and talks with the president on forming the government to replace the Cîțu Cabinet are expected to start a week after the fall of the government led by Florin Cîțu.[27][28]
Reuters journalist Radu Marinas considers that the most likely outcome for the next government is a restored PNL-USR-UDMR/RMDSZ coalition, having a Prime Minister other than Florin Cîțu, since an early election would be unlikely, due to it requiring the Parliament of Romania two prime minister proposals from the President of Romania in a time period of 60 days.[29][note 2] Nonetheless, the PNL began negotiations with the major opposition Social Democratic Party (PSD) for a new coalition together with the UDMR, which were closed on 21 November 2021, with the next cabinet, the Ciucă Cabinet, being sworn in on 25 November.[31]
Composition
edit| Position | Minister | Party | Date sworn in | Left office | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister (Romanian: prim-ministru) |
Florin Cîțu | PNL | 23 December 2020 | 25 November 2021 | |
| Deputy Prime Minister (Romanian: viceprim-ministru) |
Dan Barna | USR | 23 December 2020 | 7 September 2021 | |
| Hunor Kelemen | UDMR/RMDSZ | 23 December 2020 | 25 November 2021 | ||
| Minister of Foreign Affairs (Romanian: Ministrul Afacerilor Externe) |
Bogdan Aurescu | Independent | 23 December 2020 | 25 November 2021 | |
| Minister of Internal Affairs (Romanian: Ministrul Afacerilor Interne) |
Lucian Bode | PNL | 23 December 2020 | 25 November 2021 | |
| Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Romanian: Ministrul Agriculturii și Dezvoltării Rurale) |
Nechita-Adrian Oros | PNL | 23 December 2020 | 28 September 2021[32] | |
| Minister of National Defence (Romanian: Ministrul Apărării Naționale) |
Nicolae Ciucă | PNL | 23 December 2020 | 25 November 2021 | |
| Minister of Research, Innovation and Digitalization (Romanian: Ministrul Cercetării, Inovării și Digitalizării) |
Ciprian Teleman | PLUS | 23 December 2020 | 7 September 2021 | |
| Barna Tánczos (acting) | UDMR/RMDSZ | 8 September 2021 | 25 November 2021 | ||
| Minister of Culture (Romanian: Ministrul Culturii) |
Bogdan Gheorghiu | PNL | 23 December 2020 | 25 November 2021 | |
| Minister for Development, Public Works and Administration (Romanian: Ministrul Dezvoltării, Lucrărilor Publice și Administrației) |
Attila Cseke | UDMR/RMDSZ | 23 December 2020 | 25 November 2021 | |
| Minister of Education (Romanian: Ministrul Educației) |
Sorin Cîmpeanu | PNL | 23 December 2020 | 25 November 2021 | |
| Minister of Energy (Romanian: Ministrul Energiei) |
Virgil-Daniel Popescu | PNL | 23 December 2020 | 25 November 2021 | |
| Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism (Romanian: Ministrul Economiei, Antreprenoriatului și Turismului) |
Claudiu Năsui | USR | 23 December 2020 | 7 September 2021 | |
| Virgil Popescu (acting) | PNL | 8 September 2021 | 25 November 2021 | ||
| Minister of Labour and Social Protection (Romanian: Ministrul Muncii și Protecției Sociale) |
Raluca Turcan | PNL | 23 December 2020 | 25 November 2021 | |
| Minister of Environment, Water and Forests (Romanian: Ministrul Mediului, Apelor și Pădurilor) |
Barna Tánczos | UDMR/RMDSZ | 23 December 2020 | 25 November 2021 | |
| Minister for Transport and Infrastructure (Romanian: Ministrul Transporturilor și Infrastructurii) |
Cătălin Drulă | USR | 23 December 2020 | 7 September 2021 | |
| Dan Vîlceanu (acting) | PNL | 8 September 2021 | 25 November 2021 | ||
| Minister of Finance (Romanian: Ministrul Finanțelor) |
Alexandru Nazare | PNL | 23 December 2020 | 8 July 2021 | |
| Florin Cîțu (acting) | PNL | 8 July 2021 | 18 August 2021 | ||
| Dan Vîlceanu | PNL | 18 August 2021 | 25 November 2021 | ||
| Minister of Justice (Romanian: Ministrul Justiției) |
Stelian Ion | USR | 23 December 2020 | 1 September 2021 | |
| Lucian Bode (acting) | PNL | 1 September 2021 | 25 November 2021 | ||
| Minister of Health (Romanian: Ministrul Sănătății) |
Vlad Voiculescu | PLUS | 23 December 2020 | 14 April 2021 | |
| Florin Cîțu (acting) | PNL | 14 April 2021 | 21 April 2021 | ||
| Ioana Mihăilă | PLUS | 21 April 2021 | 7 September 2021 | ||
| Attila Cseke (acting) | UDMR/RMDSZ | 8 September 2021 | 25 November 2021 | ||
| Minister of Investments and European Projects (Romanian: Ministrul Investițiilor și Proiectelor Europene) |
Cristian Ghinea | USR | 23 December 2020 | 7 September 2021 | |
| Florin Cîțu (acting) | PNL | 8 September 2021 | 25 November 2021 | ||
| Minister for Youth and Sport (Romanian: Ministrul Tineretului și Sportului) |
Eduard Novak | UDMR/RMDSZ | 23 December 2020 | 25 November 2021 | |
Party breakdown
editParty breakdown of cabinet ministers:
Formation
edit- National Liberal Party 8 / 18
- Save Romania Union 4 / 18
- Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania 3 / 18
- Freedom, Unity and Solidarity Party 2 / 18
- Independent 1 / 18
End term
edit- National Liberal Party (PNL) 12 / 18
- Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR/RMDSZ) 5 / 18
- Independent 1 / 18
Notes
edit- ^ The merger between USR and PLUS was approved by 84.65% of those who voted at a joint congress held by the two parties on 15 August 2020.[1] They ran for the Parliament as an electoral alliance known as the 2020 USR-PLUS Alliance.
- ^ Article 89, Section 1 of the Constitution of Romania states that the president can dissolve parliament only after two governments had been rejected and no government was formed in a time frame of 60 days, after consulting the presidents of the chambers of Parliament.[30]
References
edit- ^ "Fuziunea USR și PLUS, aprobată cu votul a peste 84% dintre membrii forurilor de conducere celor două formațiuni" [USR and PLUS merger, approved by the vote of over 84% of the two parties' board members]. News.ro (in Romanian). 15 August 2020. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- ^ Article 103, Section 1 of the Constitution of Romania (2003)
- ^ Article 103, Section 2 of the Constitution of Romania (2003)
- ^ Petrescu, Ana (10 December 2020). "Klaus Iohannis invită partidele la consultări pe 14 decembrie. Primul partid la discuțiile cu președintele este PSD" [Klaus Iohannis invites the parties for consultations on 14 December. The first party at the discussions with the president is PSD]. News.ro (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 20 December 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- ^ Dumitru, Adrian, ed. (7 December 2020). "Președintele Klaus Iohannis și Hunor Kelemen au discutat despre o viitoare coaliție de guvernare" [President Klaus Iohannis and Hunor Kelemen had discussed about a future governing coalition]. Digi24 (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 20 December 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- ^ Achim, Mirela Ionela (9 December 2020). "Rareș Bogdan a explicat cum s-ar putea împărți ministerele între PNL, USR-PLUS și UDMR / Despre propunerea de premier a liberalilor: Avem 3 nume, oameni extrem de buni în domeniile lor (VIDEO)" [Rareș Bogdan has explained how the ministries between PNL, USR-PLUS and UDMR could be split / About the prime minister proposition of the liberals: We have 3 names, extremely good people in their branches (VIDEO)]. B1 TV (in Romanian). Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- ^ Bonea, Monica, ed. (12 December 2020). "Primele imagini de la negocierile PNL – USR PLUS – UDMR de la Vila Lac" [The first images of the PNL – USR PLUS – UDMR negotiations from Vila Lac]. Digi24 (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ "UPDATE- Prima zi de negocieri între PNL, USR-PLUS și UDMR s-a finalizat/ Liderii celor trei formațiuni anunță că doresc "o formulă de guvernare stabilă României, care să asigure cele mai bune soluții pentru ieșirea din criză"" [UPDATE - The first day of negotiations between PNL, USR-PLUS and UDMR had finalised / The leaders of the three formations announce that they want "a stable formula for the governance of Romania, which will ensure the best solutions for the exit from the crisis"]. News.ro (in Romanian). 12 December 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- ^ Zachmann, Sebastian (12 December 2020). "Surse. Impas la negocierile dintre PNL și USR PLUS. "Am împărțit doar cafeaua și mâncarea". Discuțiile, suspendate" [Sources. Deadlock at the negotiations between PNL and USR PLUS. "We had shared just the coffee and the food". The discussions, suspended]. Adevărul (in Romanian). Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ Zachmann, Sebastian (13 December 2020). "De ce Ludovic Orban și Dan Barna trag cu dinții de șefia Camerei Deputaților" [Why are Ludovic Orban and Dan Barna clenching their teeth on the head of the Chamber of Deputies]. Adevărul. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ "VIDEO Dan Barna face un pas în spate: Îl propun pe Cătălin Drulă pentru șefia Camerei Deputaților / Îi propun lui Ludovic Orban și Kelemen Hunor să intrăm împreună în acest guvern ca vicepremieri" [VIDEO Dan Barna takes a step back: I am proposing Cătălin Drulă for the head of the Chamber of Deputies / I propose Ludovic Orban and Kelemen Hunor for us to enter together the government as deputy prime ministers]. G4Media (in Romanian). 15 December 2020. Archived from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ Alexandru, Matei (15 December 2020). "Ludovic Orban îl critică pe Dan Barna pentru anunțul public referitor la șefia Camerei Deputaților: Am convenit să comunicăm doar împreună și doar acele lucruri asupra cărora avem consens" [Ludovic Orban criticises Dan Barna for the public announcement regarding the head of the Chamber of Deputies: We had agreed to talk only together and only those things on which we had reached consensus]. G4Media (in Romanian). Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ DECRET nr. 1.125 din 22 decembrie 2020 [DECREE No. 1,125 of 22 December 202] (Decree 1,125) (in Romanian). President of Romania. 22 December 2020.
- ^ Vulcan, Dora (22 December 2020). "Klaus Iohannis: Am decis să-l desemnez pe Florin Cîțu pentru funcția de prim-ministru" [Klaus Iohannis: I've decided to designate Florin Cîțu for the prime-minister function]. Radio Free Europe Romania (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ "VIDEO Miniștrii Guvernului Cîțu, avizați pe repede înainte / Document programul de guvernare" [VIDEO The ministers of the Cîțu Cabinet, approved speedily / Governance programme document]. HotNews.ro (in Romanian). 23 December 2020. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ "BREAKING Guvernul PNL - USR-PLUS - UDMR a trecut de votul Parlamentului" [BREAKING The PNL - USR-PLUS - UDMR government has passed the Parliament's vote]. HotNews.ro (in Romanian). 23 December 2020. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ "Planul "Anghel Saligny", sursa supărării în coaliție, a fost adoptat în ședința de guvern fără participarea miniștrilor USR PLUS" [The "Anghel Saligny" plan, the source of anger within the coalition, was adopted in the government session without the participation of the USR PLUS ministers]. Digi24. 3 September 2021.
- ^ "ULTIMA ORĂ Cîțu își arată forța - îl demite pe ministrul Justiției, pentru blocarea Programului național de investiții "Anghel Saligny". Pentru ce sunt alocate cele 50 miliarde lei în dispută DOCUMENT" [BREAKING Cîțu is showing his strength - he fires the minister of Justice, for the blocking of the "Anghel Saligny" national investment Programme. For what are the 50 billion lei from the dispute allotted DOCUMENT]. Profit.ro. 1 September 2021.
- ^ "DOCUMENT. Moțiunea de cenzură USR PLUS - AUR: "Demiterea Guvernului Cîțu, singura șansă a României de a trăi!"" [DOCUMENT. The USR PLUS - AUR motion of no confidence: "The dismissal of the Cîțu Government, Romania's only chance to live!"]. Digi24 (in Romanian). 3 September 2021. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ Ștefănescu, Cristian (9 June 2021). "Miniștrii USR-PLUS din Guvernul Florin Cîțu au demisionat în bloc" [The USR-PLUS ministers from the Florin Cîțu Government have resigned in a flock]. DW Romania. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ "Val de decizii în ultima ședință de Guvern înaintea moțiunii de cenzură: de la compesarea facturilor la energie, la majorarea salariului minim și e-factura" [Wave of decisions in the last Government session before the motion of no confidence: from the compensation of energy bills, to the raise of the minimum wage and the e-bill]. HotNews.ro (in Romanian). 4 October 2021. Archived from the original on 4 October 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ Kiss, Robert, ed. (2 September 2021). "Document. Marcel Ciolacu invită USR PLUS și AUR la discuții pentru susținerea moțiunii de cenzură a PSD. Textul a fost publicat" [Document. Marcel Ciolacu invites USR PLUS and AUR for talks on supporting the PSD motion of no confidence. The text has been published]. Digi24.
- ^ Dinu, Laura (28 September 2021). "PSD a depus moțiunea de cenzură împotriva Guvernului Cîțu". Antena 3. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
- ^ "UPDATE - Moțiunea de cenzură a trecut, ceea ce înseamnă că Guvernul Cîțu este demis - oficial / Ciolacu: Guvernul Cîțu a fost demis cu un scor fabulos – 281 de voturi! Este victoria voastră, a tuturor românilor! / Ce urmează" [UPDATE - The vote of no confidence has passed, which means that the Cîțu Government is ousted - officially / Ciolacu: The Cîțu Government was fired with a fabulous score - 281 votes! It is our victory, of all Romanians! / What's next]. News.ro (in Romanian). 5 October 2021. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ Bonea, Monica, ed. (5 October 2021). "PSD a venit în Parlament cu o machetă cu Superman căzut în cap. Gorghiu: "Un îndemn clar la violență"" [PSD has come to the Parliament with a fallen in the head Superman mockup. Gorghiu: "A clear call to violence"]. Digi24 (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ Adam, Georgiana (5 October 2021). "Guvernul Cîțu a picat. Moțiunea de cenzură a trecut cu 281 de voturi" [The Cîțu Government had fallen. The motion of no confidence has passed with 281 votes]. Antena 3 (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ Petrescu, Ana (5 October 2021). "UPDATE - Iohannis, prima reacție după ce Guvernul Cîțu a fost demis prin moțiune de cenzură: Cuvântul care caracterizează cel mai bine România de azi este "criză". Convoc consultări cu partidele săptămâna viitoare - VIDEO" [UPDATE - Iohannis, the first reaction after the Cîțu Government was ousted through a motion of no confidence: The word the characterises present-day Romania the best is "crisis". I am gathering up consultations with the parties next week - VIDEO]. News.ro (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
Trist, dar adevărat. Cuvântul care caracterizează cel mai bine România de astăzi este cuvântul criză.
[Sad, but true. The word that characterises present-day Romania the best is the word crisis.] - ^ Mutler, Alison (5 October 2021). "Romanian president says country is in a triple crisis after fall of government. Calls on politicians to show 'maturity'". Universul.net. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ Marinas, Radu (5 October 2021). Heinrich, Mark (ed.). "Romanian parliament topples PM Citu's minority government". Reuters. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ Article 89, Section 1 of the Constitution of Romania (2003)
- ^ "Negocierile pentru guvernul PNL-PSD-UDMR s-au încheiat. Ciucă: Cine nu are premierul, va avea Finanţele. Ciolacu: Joi vom avea guvern". Digi24 (in Romanian).
- ^ Pacurar, Bogdan, ed. (28 September 2021). "Ministrul Agriculturii își anunță demisia: "Pentru Florin Cîțu, agricultura și industria alimentară nu au fost niciodată priorități"" [The Minister of Agriculture announces his resignation: "For Florin Cîțu, agriculture and the food industry were never priorities"]. Digi24 (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.