Particle.news
Download on the App Store
10 ARTICLES
·
3d ago

Romania Appoints Interim Prime Minister After Coalition Collapse

Catalin Predoiu steps in as caretaker leader following Marcel Ciolacu's resignation and the Social Democrats' withdrawal from government amid a contentious presidential runoff.

FILE - A Romanian policeman holds effigies made of brooms of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, right, and Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu, left, during a protest in Bucharest, Romania, Jan. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)
FILE - Romanian Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu speaks to the media at the European Council building in Brussels, Dec 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana, File)
Presidential candidate George Simion, the leader of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) speaks during an interview in Bucharest, Romania, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Mayor of Bucharest and presidential candidate Nicusor Dan pastes a campaign poster of himself on a specially designated board at the begining of the presidential election campaign in Bucharest on April 4, 2025. Romania's presidential election campaign officially begins Friday, with 11 candidates competing for the country's top office. The first round of voting scheduled for May 4. This year's election follows a controversial annulment of the 2024 presidential vote by the Constitutional Court. (Photo by Daniel MIHAILESCU / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images)

Overview

  • Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu resigned after his coalition's candidate, Crin Antonescu, failed to advance to the May 18 presidential runoff.
  • The Social Democratic Party (PSD) has withdrawn from the governing coalition but will temporarily remain in the interim government.
  • Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu has been appointed as interim prime minister, tasked with overseeing routine governance for up to 45 days.
  • Far-right nationalist George Simion leads the presidential race after securing 41% of the vote in the first round, while pro-European reformist Nicusor Dan came in second with 21%.
  • The runoff on May 18 is seen as pivotal for Romania's future direction, with implications for its EU and NATO alignment and rising nationalist sentiment.