Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu resigned after his pro-EU coalition candidate failed to advance in the presidential election rerun, where far-right leader George Simion won 41% of the votes. Ciolacu’s Social Democratic Party (PSD) will withdraw from the coalition, ending its pro-Western alignment as Simion prepares for a run-off against independent centrist Nicusor Dan on May 18. Analysts warn that a Simion victory could destabilize Romania, isolate it politically, and expand euroscepticism within the EU, amid rising populism in Europe.
