Italian President Klaus Iohannis resigned on Monday following mounting pressure from nationalist opposition parties, two weeks after a major judge ruled invalidating a presidential vote in the European Union nation.
” To spare Romania from this issue, I am resigning as chairman of Romania”, he said in an emotional address, adding that he will keep office on February 12.
Iohannis, 65, held the political position since 2014 and served a maximum of two five-year words. However, his administration was re-elected in December after the constitutional judge canceled the election two weeks before a runoff on December 8.
That came after Calin Georgescu, a far-right activist, unceremoniously won the first round, leading to accusations of Russian disturbance and political violations.
Through a motion submitted to Parliament, several opposition parties, including the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians ( AUR), the nationalist SOS party, and the Party of Young People, as well as some members of the reformist Save Romania Union party, sought Iohannis ‘ ouster. The governing coalition’s members were expected to cast ballots in favor of some of them.
” This is a useless effort because, in any case, I did leave office in a few weeks after the election of the new leader”, Iohannis said. ” It is an unfounded walk because I have not, I repeat, not violated the constitution. And it is a dangerous undertaking because… everyone loses, and no one benefits”.
He added that the effects of hus resignation would become “long-lasting and very bad” for Romania, an EU member since 2007, and a Nato part since 2004. No one of our colleagues may comprehend why Romania is firing its president despite the fact that the process for choosing a new leader has already begun, he said.
The first round of the presidential election is set for May 4, and new dates have been set for the repeat. A runoff may become held two weeks later, on May 18, if no candidate received more than 50 % of the vote. Georgescu won’t be able to take part in the new vote, it is not yet certain.
After his departure news, conflicts broke out between Georgescu supporters and officers in front of the federal building in the funds, Bucharest.
