Romania's acting President Ilie Bolojan appointed Interior Affairs Minister Cătălin Predoiu as interim prime minister on May 6. This follows the resignation of Marcel Ciolacu. Predoiu also serves as interim president of the National Liberal Party (PNL).
The current cabinet will remain unchanged until a new government is formed. This will occur after the second round of the presidential elections on May 18. Predoiu emphasized the importance of continuity in governance.
Ciolacu, leader of the Social Democrat Party (PSD), stepped down on May 5. This was after the ruling coalition's candidate failed to qualify for the presidential run-off. The PSD also withdrew from the coalition government.
In the upcoming second round of the presidential elections, George Simion will face Nicușor Dan. The PNL and UDMR have publicly endorsed Dan. Simion has said he will aim to install Calin Georgescu as prime minister if he wins.
Despite the coalition's de facto collapse, the ministers of the PSD-PNL-UDMR government are expected to remain in office. They will serve on a caretaker basis until a new cabinet is appointed. PNL assured it would continue to support government functions during the interim period.
This article is based on our author's analysis of materials taken from the following resources: Reuters.