Romania’s political crisis deepened on Tuesday as Interior Minister Cătălin Predoiu was named interim prime minister, following the resignation of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on Monday – just two weeks ahead of the presidential runoff vote.
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The move comes after a major upset in Sunday’s presidential election rerun, where far-right nationalist George Simion, leader of the AUR party, secured nearly 41% of the vote – more than double that of pro-European independent candidate and Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan, according to AFP.
Victor Ponta / George Simion / Crin Antonescu / Nicusor Dan
Ciolacu’s Social Democratic Party (PSD) backed the ruling coalition’s candidate, Crin Antonescu. With Antonescu knocked out, Ciolacu would likely have been replaced by a new president, who appoints the premier.
Ciolacu stepped down on Monday and announced that the PSD would leave the ruling coalition. However, the party is expected to continue in government on an interim basis until the May 18 runoff.
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Predoiu, 56, is the former minister of justice and he had previously served as interim premier in 2012. He now holds both the acting prime ministerial role and the interim presidency of the center-right National Liberal Party (PNL).
Predoiu told reporters on Monday that the Liberal Party has ministers already sworn into the government and that they would continue to perform their responsibilities.
“As long as these mandates are in office, the PNL does its duty,” he said.
The upcoming second round of voting is being closely monitored by the EU and NATO.
The Romanian president holds significant power – representing the country at international summits, appointing the prime minister, and potentially influencing EU policy.
Simion, a supporter of the US President Donald Trump, has campaigned on a populist platform of “putting Romania first.” He has frequently criticized the EU, calling its officials “unelected bureaucrats” and accusing Brussels of interfering in Romanian politics.
Sunday’s vote was a rerun after the constitutional court annulled the initial election in December, citing irregularities linked to a suspected Russian-backed TikTok campaign in favor of another far-right figure, Călin Georgescu. That decision sparked outrage among nationalists, with Simion calling it “a coup d’état.”
Although Georgescu was barred from running again, two major far-right factions have thrown their support behind Simion, boosting his momentum heading into the runoff.
Simion opposes arms for Ukraine, calls aid ‘not beneficial’ to Europe
Simion, who opposes military aid to Ukraine, told DW Ukraine that a ceasefire must be reached – something he says aligns with the goals of the White House.
Simion claimed that his campaign promotes peace.
“We said that we would promote peace, and we see the only solution in de-escalating this conflict. Arms aid to both sides is not beneficial to Germany, France, Romania, Poland. We have suffered greatly from this war, and we need peace, as the Trump administration wants.”
Simion further argued that ending the war is essential to preventing further civilian casualties.
“We must stop this war. We must stop any civilian casualties, and that is why we must achieve a ceasefire. And we must pray and hope that Donald Trump’s peace talks will work.”
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