Romania's PM Resigns as George Simion Leads Presidential Race, Faces Nicusor Dan in May 18 Runoff

Romania's political landscape is undergoing significant changes following the resignation of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. Ciolacu stepped down after the candidate supported by his pro-Western coalition failed to advance to the presidential election runoff. The first round of the election saw George Simion, leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), secure a commanding lead with 40.96% of the votes, setting the stage for a runoff against independent Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, who received 20.99% of the votes, on May 18. In response to Ciolacu's resignation, interim President Ilie Bolojan appointed Catalin Predoiu, the Interior Minister and interim president of the National Liberal Party, as interim prime minister. Predoiu's appointment comes at a time when Romania is navigating a period of political uncertainty, exacerbated by the strong performance of nationalist and eurosceptic forces in the recent election. Simion, a supporter of US President Donald Trump, has criticized the EU and NATO, promising to appoint Calin Georgescu as prime minister if he wins the presidency.