Adrian Veshta. Photo: George Călin / Inquam Photos
Veshya, who was nominated by the president, needed 233 votes in both houses of parliament to form a government, but received only 189, according to the official vote count results.
Some lawmakers left the chamber before the vote began, following a day of debate on the cabinet lineup proposed by Veshta.
In early May, the government of Liberal Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan was forced to resign following a vote of no confidence supported by center-left and far-right parties.
After the first nominee for prime minister, Eugen Tomac, declined to participate in the election, Romanian President Nicușor Dan appointed Vestea, his 52-year-old fellow Liberal Party member, on June 14, to form the next government.
Veshtia’s own party, led by Bolojan, refused to support the prime minister-designate, threatening to expel him from the party.
Veshtia is a former mayor and head of a regional government, as well as a former minister of national development.
He had previously stated that he would hold talks with “pro-Western democratic political parties” in parliament in the hope of securing a majority in the government.
Ahead of Monday’s vote, he also held talks with AUR, the country’s largest far-right party, which is critical of the EU.
After his defeat, he told reporters, “My conscience is clear. I have fulfilled my duty.”
“Forty-seven days without a government are costing us dearly in terms of European funds, trust, and time that we can never get back,” he added in a Facebook post.
