Romanian Prime Minister Ciolacu resigns amid election fallout
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced his resignation following the unsuccessful presidential election outcome of the governing coalition's candidate.
What do you need to know?
- Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced his resignation after the governing coalition's candidate failed to advance to the second round of the presidential elections.
- Crin Antonescu, endorsed by three coalition parties, secured third place with 20.07% of the votes.
- The date for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Romania has not been determined.
On Monday morning, Ciolacu stated that he would propose to his party colleagues the idea of leaving the coalition. "If they support this, I will resign from my position as prime minister," he said.
The head of the government received backing for his proposal and subsequently submitted his resignation.
The date for the parliamentary elections is still undetermined.
Presidential elections in Romania
In Sunday's presidential elections, Crin Antonescu, the joint candidate supported by three coalition parties—the PSD, the National Liberal Party (PNL), and the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR)—came in third with 20.07% of the votes, thus not advancing to the second round.
Leading the race with over 40% of the votes was George Simion, leader of the radical right-wing AUR party, followed by the Mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan, with 21%.
