Romania's PM steps down over presidential elections outcome

Business Forum

6 May, 2025 at 6:46 AM

Romania's Social Democrat PM Marcel Ciolacu resigned on Monday evening, citing dwindling support for the ruling government coalition following Sunday's first round of presidential elections.

Interim President Ilie Bolojan said that an interim PM will be announced on Thursday.

“I have listened to your recent comments on television and in the media, and I have also listened to the voices of the Romanian people on Sunday. I believe the future president will decide, in conjunction with the parties capable of forming a parliamentary majority, who will govern and who will be the prime minister,” said the outgoing PM.

Crin Antonescu, the presidential candidate of the ruling coalition PSD-PNL-UDMR, failed to reach the second round of elections. Late last year, Ciolacu also ran for president but did not get enough votes to reach the second round, which was later cancelled due to allegations of foreign interference in the electoral process.

Ciolacu has been PM since June 2023 and has been leading the left-wing PSD since August 2020.

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