Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu Resigns After Electoral Defeat
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has resigned following a unanimous decision by the leadership of his Social Democratic Party (PSD) due to disappointing results in the first round of the presidential elections held on Sunday. The PSD, which played a significant role in the governing coalition, will exit the government; however, its ministers will remain in their positions temporarily until a successor is appointed.
The outgoing government coalition also consisted of the National Liberal Party, a center-right party, the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania, and several smaller parties. This coalition was initially formed in December with the aim of presenting a united front in the presidential race.
Election results released on Monday morning indicated that Crin Antonescu, the candidate representing the governing coalition, finished third with 20 percent of the overall votes. He narrowly missed the second position held by centrist candidate Nicușor Dan, who received 21 percent. The far-right candidate, George Simion, emerged as the most popular choice, securing 41 percent of the vote. A runoff between Simion and Dan is scheduled for May 18.
This election was a re-run of the previous vote in November, which the Romanian Constitutional Court annulled due to allegations of Russian interference. That election was won by the populist and pro-Russian candidate, Călin Georgescu, who has since been barred from contesting again—a decision that has sparked intense debate across Europe. Simion now enjoys the support of Georgescu.
The rise of far-right candidates like Simion highlights an emerging political shift in Romania, reflecting broader trends seen in various European nations. The upcoming runoff will be critical, not only for the future direction of Romanian politics but also for the stability of the current coalition government as it navigates these challenges.
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