Romanian Prime Minister Steps Down Following Election Lead by Anti-EU Nationalist
Marcel Ciolacu has announced his resignation following a surprising rerun of the presidential elections, which saw right-wing figure George Simion take the lead in the first round. The Romanian Prime Minister stated that he has effectively...
TroibNews 
Marcel Ciolacu has announced his resignation following a surprising rerun of the presidential elections, which saw right-wing figure George Simion take the lead in the first round.
The Romanian Prime Minister stated that he has effectively disbanded the country's pro-EU ruling coalition after a Eurosceptic right-wing candidate emerged as the frontrunner in the election.
With more than 95% of votes counted in Sunday’s presidential vote rerun, George Simion, who leads the right-wing Alliance for the Union of Romanians, is projected to garner 40.52% of the vote, according to G4 Media. He holds a significant advantage over his pro-EU opponents, former Senator Crin Antonescu and Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, both of whom have slightly above 20%.
During a press conference at his party's headquarters on Monday, Ciolacu remarked, “Our coalition has failed to meet its stated objective.”
He continued, “I saw the vote cast by Romanians yesterday, and it shows that the coalition, at least in its current form, lacks legitimacy. That is why I have decided that we must leave the coalition, and accordingly, I am submitting my resignation.”
The PSD party will refrain from supporting either candidate in the upcoming second round of the presidential election set for May 18. Antonescu, initially backed by the ruling coalition comprising the Social Democrats, the liberal PNL party, and the Hungarian minority party UDMR/RMDSZ, did not qualify for the runoff.
Ciolacu's reference to the coalition’s "stated objective" likely pertains to promises made for stability and pro-EU continuity in the 2024 campaign.
In the wake of the coalition's dissolution, cabinet ministers are expected to continue in their roles temporarily for the next 45 days until a new majority is formed following the second round of the presidential elections.
Simion is a prominent critic of the European Union, describing it as a “greedy and corrupt bubble,” particularly targeting its immigration and energy policies. On the campaign trail, he has expressed his preference for a “Europe of sovereign nations, not a federal superstate,” emphasizing “traditional values” in contrast to what he terms “globalist ideologies,” associated with LGBTQ and gender issues.
While he maintains that he is not pro-Russian, Simion has spoken out against the provision of arms to Ukraine, advocating for a negotiated resolution to the conflict.
In November 2024, Ukraine's Security Service placed him on a blacklist for “systematic anti-Ukrainian activities.” Additionally, Moldova banned Simion after he referred to it as an “artificial country” without a realistic chance of EU membership.
The rerun of the presidential election took place after Romania’s Constitutional Court annulled the results of a November vote, in which independent right-wing candidate Calin Georgescu secured 23% of the ballots. Authorities cited “irregularities” in Georgescu's campaign along with intelligence reports suggesting Russian interference – accusations that Moscow has denied.
In March, the Central Electoral Bureau disqualified Georgescu from future participation, citing his supposed “extremist” positions and non-compliance with electoral regulations.
Simion has openly supported Georgescu, appearing together with him at a polling station on Sunday. “We are here with a single mission: to restore constitutional order and democracy,” he stated to reporters.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
The Romanian Prime Minister stated that he has effectively disbanded the country's pro-EU ruling coalition after a Eurosceptic right-wing candidate emerged as the frontrunner in the election.
With more than 95% of votes counted in Sunday’s presidential vote rerun, George Simion, who leads the right-wing Alliance for the Union of Romanians, is projected to garner 40.52% of the vote, according to G4 Media. He holds a significant advantage over his pro-EU opponents, former Senator Crin Antonescu and Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, both of whom have slightly above 20%.
During a press conference at his party's headquarters on Monday, Ciolacu remarked, “Our coalition has failed to meet its stated objective.”
He continued, “I saw the vote cast by Romanians yesterday, and it shows that the coalition, at least in its current form, lacks legitimacy. That is why I have decided that we must leave the coalition, and accordingly, I am submitting my resignation.”
The PSD party will refrain from supporting either candidate in the upcoming second round of the presidential election set for May 18. Antonescu, initially backed by the ruling coalition comprising the Social Democrats, the liberal PNL party, and the Hungarian minority party UDMR/RMDSZ, did not qualify for the runoff.
Ciolacu's reference to the coalition’s "stated objective" likely pertains to promises made for stability and pro-EU continuity in the 2024 campaign.
In the wake of the coalition's dissolution, cabinet ministers are expected to continue in their roles temporarily for the next 45 days until a new majority is formed following the second round of the presidential elections.
Simion is a prominent critic of the European Union, describing it as a “greedy and corrupt bubble,” particularly targeting its immigration and energy policies. On the campaign trail, he has expressed his preference for a “Europe of sovereign nations, not a federal superstate,” emphasizing “traditional values” in contrast to what he terms “globalist ideologies,” associated with LGBTQ and gender issues.
While he maintains that he is not pro-Russian, Simion has spoken out against the provision of arms to Ukraine, advocating for a negotiated resolution to the conflict.
In November 2024, Ukraine's Security Service placed him on a blacklist for “systematic anti-Ukrainian activities.” Additionally, Moldova banned Simion after he referred to it as an “artificial country” without a realistic chance of EU membership.
The rerun of the presidential election took place after Romania’s Constitutional Court annulled the results of a November vote, in which independent right-wing candidate Calin Georgescu secured 23% of the ballots. Authorities cited “irregularities” in Georgescu's campaign along with intelligence reports suggesting Russian interference – accusations that Moscow has denied.
In March, the Central Electoral Bureau disqualified Georgescu from future participation, citing his supposed “extremist” positions and non-compliance with electoral regulations.
Simion has openly supported Georgescu, appearing together with him at a polling station on Sunday. “We are here with a single mission: to restore constitutional order and democracy,” he stated to reporters.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
