Romania fails to form new government

Romania’s attempt to form a new government has failed after parliament rejected Adrian Vestea as prime minister, extending the country’s political deadlock.

Vestea won 189 votes, well short of the 233 needed for a majority in the 465-seat parliament.

Only 212 lawmakers took part in the vote.

President Nicuşor Dan must now name another candidate to try to form a government, seven weeks after the previous administration collapsed.

Dan had picked Vestea, a member of the centre-right National Liberal Party, despite opposition from the party’s acting leader, Ilie Bolojan.

Vestea was supported by the opposition Social Democrats, smaller parties and some Liberal rebels.

The far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians left parliament before the vote.