Klaus Iohannis resigns as Romania’s president after a decade, leading to the appointment of Ilie Bolojan as acting president until upcoming elections in May. The political landscape has been impacted by tensions with far-right groups and an annulled election, necessitating new voting dates and raising questions about candidate eligibility.
On Wednesday, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced his resignation after over a decade in office. Following his departure, the Senate President Ilie Bolojan, a 55-year-old leader of the center-right National Liberal Party, has assumed the role of acting president. He will serve at the Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest until new elections are conducted in May, which are necessitated by political turmoil surrounding the presidency.
Iohannis, aged 65, held the presidential office since 2014, completing two five-year terms. His resignation comes amid attempts by far-right populist opposition groups, which control about a third of the Parliamentary seats, to remove him through legislative motions. Although his term was initially set to end in December, a Constitutional Court ruling that annulled an election created an extension of his term temporarily, influencing the new electoral schedule.
The upcoming presidential elections will feature a first round on May 4. Should no candidate achieve a majority, a runoff is scheduled for May 18. Current uncertainties surround the participation of far-right candidate Calin Georgescu, who recently won a preliminary election and is tied to allegations of electoral misconduct and Russian interference.
The position of acting president, now held by Mr. Bolojan, comes with limited powers regarding national security, foreign policy, and domestic appointments. However, he expressed his readiness to lead with dignity while prioritizing the stability of Romania and reassuring international partners of the nation’s reliability.
Klaus Iohannis has officially resigned as President of Romania, making way for Ilie Bolojan to serve as acting president. This change coincides with the impending presidential elections that will take place in May, prompted by significant political challenges and allegations of electoral violations. Meanwhile, Bolojan aims to maintain national stability during this transitional period.
Original Source: apnews.com
