Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has resigned a day before an impeachment vote was set to take place, following his controversial decision to cancel last year’s presidential election. His resignation came after growing public anger and pressure from lawmakers who had been pushing to remove him from office.
Iohannis, a centrist and pro-EU leader, had decided to stay in office until a new election is held in May, following a controversial ruling from Romania’s constitutional court in December that annulled the election due to allegations of Russian interference. Iohannis had declassified intelligence documents suggesting that nearly 800 TikTok accounts linked to a “foreign state” were activated just before the election, backing Calin Georgescu, a far-right candidate with pro-Russian views. This led to claims that Russia had meddled in Romania’s election.
Opponents of Iohannis argued that his actions were undemocratic. They said his decision to remain in office until a new president could be elected was unconstitutional unless the country was in a state of war or facing a national emergency. Romania’s constitution states that a presidential term lasts five years, but the president is expected to remain in office until their successor takes over. Critics argued that extending his term was illegal and that his hesitation to lead decisively in the wake of the annulled election only fueled public frustration.
The political turmoil sparked mass protests, with tens of thousands of Romanians taking to the streets. In response to the escalating pressure, Iohannis resigned on Monday, seeking to avoid what he described as a divisive and damaging impeachment vote. Senate president and liberal leader Ilie Bolojan will assume the role of interim president on Wednesday.
Iohannis defended his decision to remain in office, claiming that he was acting to provide political continuity for the country. He emphasized that he had “never— I repeat, never—violated the constitution” and argued that his resignation was aimed at preventing a national crisis. He also warned that his removal would negatively impact Romania’s relationships with its international allies, particularly within the EU and NATO. Romania, which shares a border with Ukraine, has been a key NATO member since joining in 2004 and has been part of the EU since 2007.
The election cancellation and Iohannis’s actions occurred amid rising concerns over Russian influence in Eastern Europe. In addition to the allegations surrounding Georgescu, the far-right had gained significant support in Romania’s parliamentary elections in December, further raising tensions.
With Iohannis’s departure, attention will now shift to the re-run of the presidential election in May, with Georgescu emerging as the likely frontrunner. His supporters view Iohannis’s resignation as a victory for the far-right, and analysts believe it may strengthen Georgescu’s chances.
Elena Lasconi, Iohannis’s liberal rival, welcomed the resignation but criticized its timing, saying it came “far too late to be considered honorable.” She added that parliamentary pressure had been key in forcing Iohannis to step down.
In Bucharest, anti-Iohannis protesters cheered when the resignation was announced, breaking through police lines. Officers responded by using tear gas, and at least six people were arrested.
xtizi3