Top Party Withdrawal Leaves Romania With Minority Government

Romania will rely on a minority government to push through reforms needed to secure billions of euros in European Union funds after the largest party in the coalition quit in a dispute over unpopular austerity measures.

The Social Democratic party, which controls most seats in parliament, withdrew its government ministers on Thursday after Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan refused its ultimatum to resign. That leaves the premier at the helm of a smaller coalition now composed of three remaining political parties, including Bolojan’s Liberal party.