Klaus Iohannis, Romania’s centrist leader, delivered a heartfelt resignation speech on Monday, explaining that he decided to step down to protect the nation from the turmoil that followed last year’s canceled presidential election.

A runoff for the presidency was scheduled for December, but it was abruptly canceled amid accusations of Russian interference after far-right candidate Calin Georgescu secured a victory in the first round.

The initial voting round on November 24 saw pro-Russian ultranationalist Georgescu rise from relative anonymity to a prominent position in the election, yet he garnered only 22.9% of the votes, insufficient for an outright win.

Georgescu was slated to participate in a runoff on December 8. However, just two days prior, Romania’s highest court made the unprecedented decision to annul the election based on declassified intelligence reports that highlighted Russian involvement.

Georgescu, who has previously expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin and denounced Ukraine as “an invented state,” characterized Iohannis’s resignation as a “victory for the Romanian people.” He posted on X, stating, “Now, it’s time to return to ‘rule of law’ – resume the second round of elections!”

What’s Next for Romania?

Having served the maximum of two five-year terms, Iohannis’s presidency was extended due to the annulment of the election. He confirmed that he would remain in office until a new leader is chosen in the first round of elections scheduled for May 4, 2025.

The president’s role will temporarily transition to Ilie Bolojan, the head of Romania’s Senate, who will oversee military and foreign policy duties until a successor is elected.

Increasing Tension with Far-Right Opposition

Iohannis, known for his pro-European Union stance, has faced mounting pressure from far-right factions since the annulment of the election in December.

Recently, over 10,000 individuals gathered in demonstrations led by the principal opposition far-right party, voicing their discontent against Iohannis in the streets of Bucharest.

Georgescu, who was favored in the discarded election, labeled the annulment as a “formalized coup d’état.”

Multiple opposition groups, including the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), the nationalist S.O.S party, and the Party of Young People, initiated impeachment motions to remove Iohannis from office. Some representatives from the ruling coalition were also anticipated to support efforts to suspend him due to declining public approval amid rising inflation and living costs.

Iohannis Warns of Consequences Following His Ouster

“In just days, the Romanian Parliament will vote on my suspension, leading the nation into a crisis… This situation will have both internal and external repercussions,” Iohannis remarked.

Having held the presidency since 2014, he emphasized in his speech that he “never breached the Constitution,” warning that his removal would result in severely adverse consequences for his country.

As a member of the EU since 2007 and NATO since 2004, Romania has consistently supported Ukraine in its conflict against Russian aggression. The country also hosts NATO’s critical anti-missile defense system in the region.

Edited by: Wesley Rahn