Romania's failed PM-designate accuses PSD of plotting to replace Grindeanu

Siegfried Mureșan, Romania's failed prime minister-designate, has accused the Social Democratic Party (PSD) of harboring internal rivals who are ready to replace leader Sorin Grindeanu. His government was rejected by Parliament on Wednesday, receiving 182 votes instead of the required 233. Mureșan claimed on Friday that some PSD members "recommend themselves as alternative prime ministers to Grindeanu" and are waiting for him to stumble, saying they would replace him "overnight" as they have done with every PSD president. He also stated that PSD and AUR now control the parliamentary majority, having cooperated numerous times this year. President Nicușor Dan has called parties for a new round of consultations on Monday, with HotNews sources indicating PSD will again propose Grindeanu. Mureșan, who was backed by PNL-USR-UDMR, warned that a PSD-AUR government would be "bad for Romania" but acknowledged the crisis remains unresolved.