Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis has resigned, just a day before he was set to face an impeachment vote triggered by last year’s controversial cancellation of the country’s presidential election.
Opponents had been pushing for his suspension due to his decision to remain in office until a new vote in May.
Romania’s top court annulled the election in December, citing Russian state meddling—an issue Iohannis had highlighted. While the pro-EU leader cited national security concerns, critics and candidates accused him of undermining democracy.
Just 48 hours before Romanians were set to vote in the presidential run-off, the constitutional court made an unprecedented ruling scrapping the entire process, leaving the country without an incoming president. Iohannis, who has served since 2014, opted to stay in office until his successor could be elected.
However, his role in the election’s cancellation and his perceived indecisiveness have fueled public outrage. Tens of thousands protested, and lawmakers were preparing to suspend him.
Iohannis defended his actions as a means of ensuring political continuity, citing constitutional provisions that a president remains in office until a successor is sworn in. However, opposition lawmakers contended his extended term was unconstitutional, arguing that such an extension is only permitted in times of war or catastrophe.
Facing mounting pressure, Iohannis resigned on Monday to prevent what he called a divisive and damaging vote. Senate President Ilie Bolojan will assume the interim presidency on Wednesday.
Iohannis insisted he had “never—never—violated the constitution” and said his decision was meant to “spare” Romania from crisis. He also warned that his removal would be perceived negatively by Romania’s allies.
“Externally, the effects will be long-lasting and very negative,” he said, emphasizing that NATO and EU partners would struggle to understand why Romania was dismissing its president amid an ongoing election process.
As a key NATO member on Europe’s eastern flank, Romania shares a long border with Ukraine. The country now joins a growing list of Eastern European nations dealing with election interference allegations linked to Russia.
The constitutional court’s decision stemmed from intelligence reports that nearly 800 TikTok accounts—allegedly controlled by a foreign state—were reactivated before the election, promoting far-right, NATO-skeptic candidate Calin Georgescu. Romania’s intelligence services identified Russia as the “enemy state” behind the operation. Georgescu won the first round of voting, and his supporters claim the annulment was an attempt to block him.
With Iohannis out, attention now turns to the election re-run in May, where Georgescu remains the frontrunner. Analysts suggest his resignation could further energize the far-right.
Elena Lasconi, Georgescu’s liberal opponent, welcomed the resignation but criticized Iohannis for acting too late. “This came far too late to be considered honorable,” she said, adding that parliamentary pressure had “woken Iohannis from his slumber.”
On Monday, hundreds of anti-Iohannis protesters in Bucharest celebrated his resignation, with some breaking through a police cordon. Officers used tear gas to disperse the crowd, and at least six people were detained, according to state media.
Source: Swifteradio.com
