BUCHAREST, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has offered to resign if the opposition Save Romania Union (USR) backs the ruling coalition's candidate, Crin Antonescu, in the upcoming presidential election.
Ciolacu, who leads the Social Democratic Party (PSD), revealed on social media Thursday that he had had an "extremely honest discussion" with USR leader Elena Lasconi, and explained why her proposal to back National Liberal Party (PNL) leader Ilie Bolojan for president was not feasible.
The prime minister said Bolojan cannot run as he is currently the interim president of Romania.
Ciolacu underlined that if USR supports Antonescu, the party would be allowed to rejoin the government, paving the way for a unified pro-European presidential candidacy.
Antonescu, 65, has been designated as the official candidate of Romania's ruling coalition following endorsements from the PNL and the Hungarian minority party, UDMR. He is set to formally announce his candidacy on Sunday.
Romania's political landscape has been reshaped recently since the country's Constitutional Court annulled last year's presidential election. In that race, Lasconi finished second and, along with Calin Georgescu, advanced to the runoff.
The ruling coalition has scheduled the first round of the presidential elections for May 4, 2025, with a potential runoff set for May 18, 2025. ■
