The leaders of Romania’s ruling coalition parties have agreed on May 4, 2025, as the date for the next presidential election, with a potential runoff scheduled for May 18. The agreement was reached between the Social Democrats, National Liberals, and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania, along with representatives of minority parties in Parliament.
The official announcement will be made next week by the government, in accordance with electoral laws that require at least 75 days’ notice before the election date.
During the coalition meeting in Bucharest, leaders reaffirmed their support for Crin Antonescu, the former leader of the National Liberal Party, as their unified candidate. Antonescu is expected to lead a campaign focused on stability and reform.
This announcement follows a month of political turmoil after Romania’s Constitutional Court annulled the second round of the presidential elections held on November 24, 2024. The decision was unprecedented, citing suspicions that ultranationalist independent candidate Călin Gheorghițescu advanced to the runoff due to Russian interference.
Classified security documents revealed that paid influencers, members of extremist far-right groups, and individuals linked to organized crime had promoted Gheorghițescu’s campaign, especially on platforms like TikTok.
The upcoming elections are seen as a crucial moment for Romania’s democracy, with significant implications for the country’s future direction and its relationship with the European Union.
