Romanian politics shaken as Predoi takes interim PM role
Catalin Predoiu has become the new interim Prime Minister of Romania following the resignation of Marcel Ciolacu. These changes occurred after the coalition's defeat in the presidential election.
What do you need to know?
- Catalin Predoiu assumed the position of interim Prime Minister of Romania following the resignation of Marcel Ciolacu, the leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD).
- Presidential election results: George Simion from the far-right AUR party garnered nearly 41% of the votes, causing a political shakeup.
- The governing coalition: After the elections last December, the PSD-PNL coalition was reestablished despite previous signs of public disappointment.
Catalin Predoiu, the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs, has been appointed interim Prime Minister of Romania. The decision was made by Ilie Bolojan, the acting president of the country. The change in the position of Prime Minister occurred following Marcel Ciolacu's resignation after the coalition's candidate's defeat in the first round of the presidential elections.
What are the results of the presidential election?
In the first round of the presidential election held on Sunday, the leader of the far-right AUR party, George Simion, secured nearly 41% of the votes. The pro-European mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan, running as an independent candidate, placed second. The coalition's candidate, Crin Antonescu, came in third, symbolizing a crisis of confidence in the main political forces in Romania.
What’s next for the governing coalition?
After the elections last December, the governing coalition was reestablished in nearly the same configuration despite previous signs of significant public disappointment. Marcel Ciolacu remained Prime Minister but resigned after the recent elections. The Social Democratic Party (PSD) announced that it would not support any candidate in the second round of the presidential elections, while other coalition parties intend to support Nicusor Dan.
The second round of the repeated presidential elections will take place on May 18, which may bring further changes to the Romanian political scene.
