Bucharest
Marcel Ciolacu, the leader of Romania's Social Democratic Party (PSD), has been reappointed as the country's Prime Minister by President Klaus Iohannis on Monday, following the Dec 1 elections. Ciolacu will continue to lead Romania after the new Parliament was formed.
Although Ciolacu resigned as PSD leader on November 25 after failing to secure a spot in the Presidential election runoff, he continued as Prime Minister until the new parliamentary majority was established. He finished third in the Presidential elections, securing 19.15% of the votes.
Ciolacu, who served as Romania's Prime Minister from June 2023, has played a key role in leading PSD through difficult political times. In 2024, he was re-elected as the party's leader with strong support, solidifying his position within Romanian politics.
Romania's Constitution limits Presidents to two terms, which makes outgoing President Klaus Iohannis ineligible for re-election. This opens the door for political change as Ciolacu now has the opportunity to lead the country during a time of transition.
Ciolacu’s political career includes bringing PSD back to the government in 2021 after a political crisis, forming a coalition with the National Liberal Party (PNL). Despite setbacks, he remains a central figure in Romania's political landscape.