Romania’s Interim President Ilie Bolojan has signed the decree designating Catalin Predoiu as interim prime minister. Predoiu is tasked with overseeing the government’s affairs until the formation of a new government after the second presidential election round scheduled on May 18.
Predoiu has been acting as interim leader of the center-right National Liberal Party (PNL) since Bolojan became interim President of Romania in February 2025.
Ciolacu has announced his resignation after the ruling coalition’s pro-EU presidential candidate, Crin Antonescu, failed to reach the presidential election runoff. Ciolacu said his center-left Social Democratic Party (PSD) would withdraw from the pro-Western coalition – effectively ending it – while cabinet ministers will stay on in an interim capacity until a new majority emerges after the presidential run-off.
Ciolacu resigned a day after far-right opposition and populist leader, George Simion, gained the most votes, 40.5%, in the first round of the presidential election, a rerun of the original vote from last year. Simion will face off against pro-EU Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan, in the May 18 runoff, who received a 20.9% share of the vote.
According to Ciolacu, PSD will not support any candidate in the runoff, while Predoiu said PNL decided to support Nicusor Dan.