The successful no-confidence vote, a first in post-revolution Romanian politics: the Parliament brings the government down

The Boc government was brought down by the Parliament yesterday, after the motion of no confidence initiated by the National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania was adopted with backing from the Social Democrat Party, which exited the government two weeks ago. The Boc executive became the first government in the post-revolution period to be brought down by a vote of no-confidence. 254 out of 448 parliamentarians voted in favor of the "11 against Romania" motion, which exceeded the 236 votes required for the motion of no-confidence to go through. The National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania thus become the first opposition parties that succeed in bringing down a Government through a vote of no-confidence. The two political parties attempted to do the same in May, through the no-confidence motion called "The great PD-L and PSD swindle". However, the bill was turned down by the Parliament, as the Boc Government at the time had a large legislative majority, thanks to the backing of the Social Democrat Party (PSD). Once the latter pulled out of the government coalition, and after the Constitutional Court rejected the complaint of the Liberal Democrats, who claimed that the "11 against Romania" motion of no-confidence was unconstitutional, bringing down the Boc Government was as easy as shooting fish in a barrel. Tuesday 13 proved an unlucky day for the Democrat-Liberals.

The Boc government only held out 12 days after breaking up the alliance with the PSD, and according to the Constitution, until the new Executive makes its oath and gets the approval of the Parliament, will only handle public affairs.

A few hours after the motion was voted, president Traian Băsescu summoned the parliamentary parties for consultations for the appointment of a new Prime-Minister. The National Liberal Party, the Social Democrat Party and the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania already announced their support for a technocratic government.

Liberal head Crin Antonescu said they nominated Klaus Johannis, the mayor of the Romanian town of Sibiu, as an independent prime minister. The latter has already announced his willingness to take over the position.

Another alternative for the position of Prime Minister is presidential adviser Alexandra Gătej. According to the Constitution, a Prime Minister is appointed through presidential decree, and has 10 days available to draw up the governing program and ask for a vote of confidence from the Parliament. In case an interim government remains in place, important draft bills such as the State Budget Law may not be initiated on time.

54% of the Parliament brought down the remaining 55% of the Boc Government