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Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis resigned on Monday, just a day before he was due to face an impeachment vote prompted by the cancellation of the country’s presidential election in December.
The election’s annulment, issued by Romania’s constitutional court, followed allegations of Russian state interference, a claim Iohannis had helped raise in his national security concerns. While the centrist, pro-EU leader insisted his decision was based on national security, many critics viewed it as undemocratic.
The court’s ruling came 48 hours before Romanians were set to vote in the presidential run-off, and it scrapped the entire electoral process. This left Romania without an incoming president, prompting Iohannis to remain in office until a new election could be held.
However, his prolonged tenure sparked popular discontent, with tens of thousands of Romanians protesting in the streets. Lawmakers had been preparing to begin impeachment proceedings this week.
Iohannis, who has served two terms since 2014, decided to resign in a bid to avoid further division and national crisis. He maintained that he had “never violated the constitution” and sought to spare Romania from what he described as a “crisis.”
In his resignation statement, Iohannis warned that his removal would have long-lasting negative effects on Romania’s international standing, particularly with EU and NATO partners.
“Externally, the effects will be long-lasting and very negative. Absolutely no one among our partners will understand why Romania is dismissing its president after, in fact, it has already started the procedure for electing a new president,” he said.
The decision follows a turbulent period marked by allegations of Russian interference, which saw almost 800 TikTok accounts linked to a foreign state backing far-right candidate Calin Georgescu, who had previously praised Russian President Vladimir Putin.
With Iohannis out of office, attention shifts to the re-run of the election in May, where Georgescu, the radical outsider, is the favourite to win. The resignation has been hailed by his supporters and critics alike, though some view it as an advantage for the far-right.
Iohannis’s departure was also welcomed by his liberal rival, Elena Lasconi, who called the resignation “far too late to be considered honourable,” while anti-Iohannis protesters cheered and clashed with police outside Bucharest’s parliament.
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