Romanian government dismissed in no-confidence vote

Romanian’s center-right minority government has been dismissed after losing a no-confidence vote brought by the leftist opposition.
The no-confidence motion was put forward today by the opposition Social Democrats, PSD, and the ethnic Hungarian party UDMR, who had criticized prime minister Ludovic Orban for pushing to alter electoral laws without a public debate.
Lawmakers voted 261-139 to dismiss the government. 233 votes are enough to dismiss it.  Romania is scheduled to hold a parliamentary election in November. However, Orban’s Liberals have upped their popularity ratings from 30% to some 47% since November. Analysts say the Liberals might have a better chance to form a coalition government after snap polls rather than wait until regular elections.
After the vote, Orban said: “I am proud of what we have achieved in our three months in office, repairing much of the damage caused by the PSD. The government falls on its feet. I am happy that soon the Romanian people will have the chance to choose a new parliament”.
In the meantime, Orban is likely to stay in office as a caretaker prime minister with limited powers. According to the constitution, if a Cabinet is dismissed by a no-confidence vote in Parliament, it remains in office to manage the current public affairs, but without promoting new policies, adopting ordinances or initiating draft laws, until the new ministers will swear in.