Klaus Iohannis announced on Monday that he will continue as a Romanian president in two days. On Tuesday, the Romanian parliament would vote on initiating a deposition procedure, but the president does not want to wait for that moment. This includes the AP news agency and the political news site Polrico.
The 65-year-old Romanian was appointed president in 2014 and had to resign formally last year because he had completed two five-year president periods. But against expectations in the radical right -wing populist Calin Georgescu won the first election round, after which rumors about Russian interference started.
The Constitutional Court of Romania then decided in December that the election round should take place again: in May, two days before the start of the second election round. Iohannis announced that he would stay on until a successor was elected. According to Georgescu, an “organized coup” was going on. He went to the European Court of Human Rights, but was not in favor.
Radical right -wing opposition
Following the example of Georgescu, various opposition parties demanded the resignation of the president, such as the extreme right-wing alliance for the unity of the Romanians (AUR) and the Nationalist Party SOS, but also the Pro-European and Liberal USR. The parties believe that the president should have left before. Members of the coalition parties also considered voting before the president’s resignation.
“This [de motie] Is a meaningless undertaking, because I will put down my position within a few months after the new president’s election, “said Iohannis about his departure, writes AP news agency. “It is an unfounded put because I never – I repeat, never – have violated the constitution.” Until a new president has been chosen, Ilie Bolojan, the chairman of the Senate, will perceive the honors, although with limited powers.
The Russia-minded Georgescu will once again apply in May and in particular has to fear competition from Crin Antonescu, the former chairman of the Senate, who is supported by pro-European parties.