BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced his resignation on Monday, following a disappointing performance by the governing coalition's joint candidate in the country's presidential election rerun. The election, held on May 4, 2025, proved to be a pivotal moment for Romanian politics, with the coalition's candidate, Crin Antonescu, finishing a distant third. He was narrowly edged out by Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan and significantly trailed behind hard-right nationalist George Simion, who decisively secured first place.
Ciolacu expressed his decision to step down, stating, "Rather than let the future president replace me, I decided to resign myself." This resignation comes in the wake of his own unsuccessful bid for the presidency in the annulled election of the previous year. During a press conference after a meeting at the headquarters of his Social Democratic Party (PSD), he highlighted that the coalition was formed with the explicit aim of presenting a united front to win the presidency. However, given the results, he called into question the credibility of the coalition and its effectiveness in fulfilling its objectives.
The recent presidential election underscores a growing anti-establishment sentiment among Romanian voters, revealing a significant shift away from traditional political parties. This environment of dissatisfaction has perpetuated ongoing political turmoil in Romania, a member of both the European Union and NATO. The electoral fallout comes after a previous race was annulled by a top court due to allegations of electoral violations and purported Russian interference, which Moscow has denied. This decision had thrust Romania into its worst political crisis in decades.
The governing coalition, which was formed in December 2024, consists of the leftist PSD, the center-right National Liberal Party, the smaller ethnic Hungarian UDMR party, and representatives of national minorities. Following Ciolacu's resignation, an interim prime minister will be appointed from the current Cabinet by interim President Ilie Bolojan. This transition will be closely watched as Romania navigates its political landscape amidst ongoing challenges.
With these developments, the political landscape in Romania remains uncertain and volatile, signaling potential shifts in power dynamics among various factions. The coalition's failure to establish a strong candidate and the implications of Ciolacu's resignation may have lasting effects on the nation’s governance and political direction in the coming years.
