Romanian Prime Minister resigns

Romanian PM Marcel Ciolacu stepped down after Crin Antonescu failed to reach the presidential election runoff, further fracturing the ruling coalition amid political turmoil.
Marcel Ciolacu resigned as Romanian prime minister on Monday, a day after the ruling big tent coalition candidate Crin Antonescu failed to secure a spot in the presidential election runoff, Euronews reported.

On Sunday, the big tent coalition — which included Ciolacu’s centre-left PSD, liberal party PNL and the Hungarian minority party UDMR/RMDSZ — failed to inspire Romanians to back Antonescu in the first round of the presidential vote repeat after the unprecedented scandal of the annulled elections in December, caused significant upheaval within the bloc.

The PSD's current crop of ministers has decided to leave the government together with Ciolacu, following accusations that they did not do enough to help Antonescu secure the top position.