Romanian Prime Minister Resigns Following Far-Right Victory in Presidential Election’s First Round
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has stepped down following a victory in the first round of the presidential election re-run by a far-right opposition leader, while his own candidate fell short in the race.
Mr. Ciolacu announced that his centre-left Social Democrats would withdraw from the pro-Western coalition, effectively putting an end to it, while cabinet ministers will continue in an interim capacity until a new majority is established after the presidential run-off.
Hard-right eurosceptic George Simion decisively dominated the ballot yesterday, receiving approximately 41% of the votes, and will compete against Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, an independent centrist, in a run-off scheduled for 18 May.
Coalition candidate Crin Antonescu finished in third place.
Supporters of George Simion react after exit poll results were announced
The Social Democrats had formed a coalition government with the centrist Liberals and ethnic Hungarian UDMR to maintain Romania’s pro-Western stance within the European Union and NATO.
Without them, a governing majority that keeps the far right at bay in the legislature cannot be established.
A woman casts her ballot at a polling station in Bucharest
“This coalition is no longer legitimate,” Mr. Ciolacu stated to reporters after a party meeting. ”
I’ve read that the next president was going to replace me anyway.”
Romania’s president holds a semi-executive position with responsibilities that include commanding the armed forces and chairing the security council, which decides on military aid.
The president also has veto power over significant EU votes and appoints the prime minister, chief judges, prosecutors, and heads of the secret service.
Currently, Romania has an interim president until the 18 May run-off.
The interim government is unable to issue decrees or implement new policies.
The nation has the largest budget deficit in the EU and faces a potential ratings downgrade to below investment grade unless it enacts a significant fiscal correction.
Analysts warn that a win for Mr. Simion could lead to Romania’s isolation, diminish private investment, and destabilize NATO’s eastern flank, where Bucharest plays a crucial role in providing logistical support to Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Political observers say a victory for George Simion could isolate the country
Such an outcome would also enlarge the group of eurosceptic leaders in the European Union, including the Hungarian and Slovak prime ministers, at a time when Europe is struggling to respond to the policies of US President Donald Trump.
“The challenge now is not just Romania’s position but the European Union’s predicament should George Simion prevail,” noted Cristian Pirvulescu, a professor at the Bucharest National School of Political Science and Public Administration.
“The anti-European faction within the EU would become more considerable, potentially influencing changes in the stance of Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni.”
“This group could gain prominence and affect the Polish presidential election on May 18.”
Simmering anger
Yesterday’s election followed a previous attempt that was cancelled due to alleged Russian interference in favor of far-right frontrunner Calin Georgescu, who has been barred from running again.
Mr. Simion has indicated he might appoint Mr. Georgescu as prime minister if he wins.
The vote reflects widespread discontent among the Romanian electorate regarding rising living costs and security concerns.
Prime Minister Ciolacu also mentioned that his party would not endorse either of the presidential candidates, urging people to vote according to their conscience.
Read more: Is Romania’s far-right party leader set to be president?
Analysts have suggested that Mr. Dan will face challenges in rallying the pro-Western vote, as many Social Democrat voters may align more closely with Mr. Simion.
Romanian international dollar bonds declined significantly, with the longest maturities experiencing the largest losses.
“Political risk has risen considerably,” said JP Morgan analysts in a recent note.
“While Simion may be pragmatic, should the Georgescu plan be implemented, markets are unlikely to respond positively,” the note added.
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) stated that the election was “efficiently administered,” but noted that a disjointed approach to eligibility rules, limited transparency in administrative actions, and inconsistent oversight of the online campaign environment adversely affected the overall process.
The OSCE remarked that it is up to the authorities to determine whether there has been any foreign interference.
