Romanian President Klaus Iohannis resigns amid political crisis

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has announced his resignation following impeachment proceedings launched by far-right opposition parties in January.

“In order to protect Romania and its citizens from crisis… I am stepping down as President of Romania,” Iohannis declared.

Iohannis had served as president since 2014, and his term was extended after Romania’s Constitutional Court annulled the results of the first round of the presidential elections in December. The ruling postponed the election, which had seen pro-Russian far-right candidate Calin Georgescu and a pro-Western opponent advance to a second round.

Romania’s new presidential elections will be held in two rounds, on May 4 and May 18.

Following Iohannis’ resignation, Senate Speaker Ilie Bolojan, leader of the Liberal Party and a member of the ruling coalition, will serve as interim president with limited powers until the elections.