2025 Romanian presidential election

2025 Romanian presidential election

4 May 2025 (first round) 18 May 2025 (second round)

Nominee Crin Antonescu Nicușor Dan Elena Lasconi Party PNL Independent USR Alliance CNR DREPT

Incumbent President Klaus Iohannis PNL

Presidential elections will be held in Romania on 4 and 18 May, 2025, following the annulment of the results of the 2024 presidential elections.

Background

Previous election annulled

On 6 December 2024, 48 hours before the second round of the 2024 presidential elections, the elections were annulled by the Romanian Constitutional Court, because of suspected Russian intervention on behalf of independent candidate, Călin Georgescu, who took a shock lead in the first round with 23%. A few weeks after the cancellation, more precisely on December 20, an investigation was published showing that one of the governing parties, specifically the PNL, had paid for the TikTok campaigns that the CSAT said were "identical" to the online campaign launched by Russia before the invasion of Ukraine and which led to the cancellation of the first round.

Second Ciolacu cabinet

After the parliamentary election, the Second Ciolacu Cabinet was formed as a minority coalition between PSD, PNL, UDMR and minority parties in December 2024, days before Christmas. Furthermore, Ilie Bolojan became President of the Senate of Romania and Ciprian-Constantin Șerban became President of the Chamber of Deputies of Romania. The cabinet passed with a seven-vote majority and became official. Opposition leaders (most prominently George Simion and POT Leader Anamaria Gavrilă) called the cabinet illegitimate and for the resignation of incumbent president Klaus Iohannis.

Election date

The date of the first round has been speculated for 23 March 2025, and the runoff two weeks later (6 April 2025). As of 8 January 2025, these dates are obsolete, as the law for electing the President of Romania requires a minimum of 75 days between the election day and the day the election is called. However, on 8th of January, the coalition has fixed the dates of the election in their meeting. The first round is scheduled to be held on 4 May, 2025, and the second round two weeks later, on 18 May, 2025.

Candidates

The electoral procedures have yet to be initiated by the Government. As a reult, the following is a list of persons that have explicitly affirmed interest in running or not.

Expressed interest

• Crin Antonescu, former Interim President (2012), President of the Senate (2012–2014), senator (2008–2016), and deputy (1992–2008), endorsed by the PNL, PSD, UDMR.
• Ana Birchall, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice of Romania in Viorica Dăncilă's Cabinet.
• Nicușor Dan, incumbent mayor of Bucharest, as an independent candidate endorsed by the Justice and Respect in Europe for All Party.
• Daniel Funeriu, former Minister of Education.
• Teodor Nițulescu, former mayor of Alexandria (1996–2001), prefect of Teleorman County (2001–2004, 2009–2012) and deputy (2004–2008), announced through a video on TikTok on 7 December 2024 that he will run for president, if Georgescu is not allowed to do so.
• Elena Lasconi, president of Save Romania Union, mayor of Câmpulung Muscel, qualified in the annulled second round of the 2024 election.
• Gabriel Păun, biologist and environmental activist, running as an independent with the support of the Green Party.
• Cristian Sima, businessman.

Declined to run

• Ilie Bolojan, leader of the National Liberal Party, former mayor of Oradea and president of the council of Bihor County. Incumbent President of the Senate of Romania;
• Dan Puric, actor

Potential candidates

• Călin Georgescu, far-right independent candidate who previously scored first place in the 2024 Romanian presidential election might run again if he is allowed by the electoral commission.
• George Simion, president of Alliance for the Union of Romanians, said he or one of his party members will run for president if Georgescu cannot.