Cătălin Predoiu steps in as interim PM amid election turmoil

• Cătălin Predoiu has been appointed as the interim Prime Minister of Romania after Marcel Ciolacu, leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), stepped down.
• Presidential election results: George Simion, from the radical right-wing AUR party, secured nearly 41 per cent of the vote, causing political unrest.
• Governing coalition: Despite initial public dissatisfaction, the PSD-PNL coalition was reinstated after last December's elections.

Cătălin Predoiu, the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, has been appointed as the interim Prime Minister of Romania. This decision was made by Ilie Bolojan, the acting President of the country. This leadership change follows Marcel Ciolacu's resignation, prompted by the coalition candidate's defeat in the first round of the presidential elections.

In the first round of the presidential elections held on Sunday, George Simion, leader of the radical right-wing AUR party, garnered almost 41 per cent of the vote. The pro-European mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan, running as an independent, finished second. The coalition's candidate, Crin Antonescu, came third, highlighting a crisis of confidence in Romania's main political parties.

After last December's elections, the governing coalition was nearly reinstated in its previous formation, despite earlier indications of considerable public discontent. Marcel Ciolacu remained as Prime Minister but resigned after the recent election results. The Social Democratic Party (PSD) has declared it won't back any candidate in the second round of the presidential elections, whilst other coalition members plan to support Nicusor Dan.

The run-off of the presidential elections is scheduled for 18 May, possibly signalling further shifts in Romania's political landscape.