Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced his resignation and his Social Democrat Party’s (PSD) withdrawal from government after nationalist candidate George Simion dominated Sunday’s presidential election with 40.9% of votes.
The eurosceptic leader, who campaigns on a “Romania First” platform, is now favored to win the May 18 runoff against liberal Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan. Ciolacu conceded the ruling pro-EU coalition had “lost credibility” following the electoral rebuke, just six months after taking power in December 2024.
A Look at Simion’s Anti-EU Agenda Alarms Brussels and Kyiv
Simion’s Alliance for Romanian Unity party capitalised on public anger over last year’s annulled presidential vote, with his likely victory causing concern among EU leaders.
The nationalist firebrand advocates for a Europe of “strong sovereign nations” and has criticized Western support for Ukraine. Interim President Ilie Bolojan, who assumed office during 2023’s election scandal, will now appoint a caretaker government ahead of the decisive runoff.
The PSD’s abrupt exit made way for a stunning reversal for Romania’s political establishment, which had united in a fragile coalition after December’s fractured elections saw Simion’s bloc capture a third of parliament.
Analysts are meanwhile, warning that the government crisis could destabilize Romania’s EU policy commitments and military aid to Ukraine. As it stands, all eyes are now on Bucharest’s runoff election, which may cement the most dramatic rightward shift in Romania’s post-communist history.
