Romanian PM Marcel Ciolacu announces resignation
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced his resignation at the headquarters of the Social Democratic Party (PSD)
- BUCHAREST — Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced his resignation
at the headquarters of the Social Democratic Party (PSD).
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- The announcement comes as Romania's ruling PSD declared its
decision to withdraw from the governing coalition.
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- "One of the two objectives of the governing
coalition was not achieved, which means that the governing coalition lacks
legitimacy - at least in its current composition," Ciolacu said on Monday,
referencing the fallout after the first round of Romania's presidential
election rerun on Sunday.
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- Crin Antonescu, the presidential candidate representing
the governing coalition, failed to secure a spot in the second-round runoff
scheduled for May 18, according to Xinhua news agency.
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- While the transition is underway, Social Democratic Party
ministers will remain in their positions temporarily as discussions continue
with coalition partners - the National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Democratic
Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) - to establish interim governance
arrangements, according to Ciolacu.
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- Interim President Ilie Bolojan formally acknowledged
Ciolacu's resignation on Monday.
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- According to a statement from the Presidential
Administration, an interim Prime Minister will be appointed on Tuesday.
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- The interim cabinet may remain in place for up to 45
days, during which a new government must be formed. During this period, the
interim cabinet is authorised only to manage routine public affairs until the
newly appointed government members are sworn in.
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- The outgoing coalition, established in December 2024,
comprised the Social Democratic Party, National Liberal Party, UDMR, and
representatives of Romania's national minorities.
