Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu resigned on Monday after far-right opposition leader George Simion secured 41% of votes in the first round of the presidential election re-run.
Ciolacu announced that his center-left Social Democrats will withdraw from the pro-Western coalition with the centrist Liberals and the ethnic Hungarian UDMR, effectively ending the alliance. Cabinet ministers will serve in an interim role until a new parliamentary majority forms after the May 18 run-off. Simion will face Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan, an independent centrist, after coalition candidate Crin Antonescu came third.
Simion’s AUR party, along with two other hard-right groupings—one known for pro-Russian sympathies—now commands over a third of parliamentary seats, marking a significant shift in Romania’s political balance and challenging efforts to keep the country firmly aligned with the EU and NATO.
Romania currently has the EU’s largest budget deficit and risks a ratings downgrade unless it implements decisive fiscal reforms. Analysts warn that a Simion presidency could isolate Romania diplomatically, undermine private investment, and destabilize NATO’s eastern flank, where Bucharest has been pivotal in providing logistical support to Ukraine amid Russia’s military action.
As Europe grapples with its response to global pressures, including a rising tide of euroskeptic leaders, the outcome of the May 18 run-off will determine whether Romania’s pro-Western trajectory can withstand this populist surge.
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Romania PM resigns after far-right wins first round of president vote
cgtn.com
