Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced his resignation on Monday following increasing pressure from populist opposition groups, just two months after the country’s top court invalidated a presidential election.
In a heartfelt address, Iohannis, 65, stated, “To spare Romania from this crisis, I am resigning as president of Romania,” and confirmed he would step down on February 12.
Iohannis, who has been in office since 2014, had already served the maximum two five-year terms. However, his presidency was extended in December when the Constitutional Court annulled the presidential election, just days before the December 8 runoff. The decision came after far-right populist Calin Georgescu unexpectedly won the first round, amid allegations of Russian interference and electoral violations.
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, along with some members of the reformist Save Romania Union (USR) party, pushed for Iohannis’ removal by submitting a motion to Parliament. Several lawmakers from the ruling coalition were also expected to support the motion.
Iohannis dismissed the opposition’s efforts, calling them pointless. “I will be leaving office in a few months anyway, after the new president is elected,” he stated. He also emphasized that the motion was baseless, asserting, “I have never — I repeat, never — violated the constitution.” Iohannis argued that the attempt to remove him was damaging, saying, “Everyone loses, and no one gains.”
Iohannis warned that removing him from office would have “long-lasting and highly negative” effects on Romania, which has been an EU member since 2007 and a NATO member since 2004. He argued that Romania’s international partners would not understand why the country was dismissing its president when the election process for a new one was already underway.
Following his resignation announcement, violent clashes erupted between supporters of Calin Georgescu and police outside the government building in Bucharest. Tear gas was deployed to disperse the protesters.
New dates have been set for the presidential election rerun, with the first round scheduled for May 4. If no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, a runoff will take place on May 18. It remains unclear whether Calin Georgescu will be eligible to participate in the new election.
Georgescu referred to Iohannis’ resignation as a “victory for the people of Romania” and called for the presidential election to continue from the second round.
Although an interim president has not yet been appointed, the president of the Senate is expected to temporarily assume the role of acting president with limited powers. If they are unable to, the president of the Chamber of Deputies would step in, according to the constitution.
Cristian Andrei, a political consultant in Bucharest, believes Iohannis’ resignation is preferable to holding a referendum, which he says would have benefitted populists. However, he added that regardless of the outcome, “the populists can say they won.” Andrei also warned that the resignation would not resolve the widespread discontent, and the uncertainty surrounding the political coalition and presidential candidates would likely increase. “The fragile political status quo has changed,” he concluded.
Elena Lasconi of the USR, who was set to face Calin Georgescu in the presidential runoff, stated that Iohannis’ resignation came “far too late to be considered honorable.”
She expressed satisfaction that USR’s pressure in Parliament had forced Iohannis to act, vowing, “We won’t stop here.” Lasconi emphasized the need to realign state institutions so they serve the citizens rather than temporary figures in power. She also called for “truth, justice, and an authentic leader who can keep us firmly oriented toward the West.”
George Simion, leader of the AUR party, took to X to declare, “The usurper is finally gone,” adding that if Iohannis had not resigned, he would have been impeached by Romania’s Parliament and removed from office.
