Romania's ongoing government formation deadlock stems from the May 2026 no-confidence vote that ousted Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan's coalition, followed by two failed prime ministerial nominations under President Nicușor Dan. Constitutional rules (Article 89) allow dissolution and snap elections only after at least two rejected investiture votes within 60 days of the first attempt, a threshold reportedly crossed by mid-August. Dan has so far declined to exercise this option, citing risks of empowering the far-right AUR party, which leads polls, and has signaled no dissolution in 2026 despite the conditions being met. Negotiations continue for a minority or technocratic government amid caretaker-rule constraints, EU funding deadlines, and credit rating pressures, with parliament's next regular vote scheduled for 2028. Any third nomination or party realignment could shift the trajectory before year-end.