Klaus Iohannis announced his resignation as Romania’s president on Monday amid growing discontent among the population and even among his own political allies.

“To spare Romania and its citizens from this crisis, from this unnecessary and negative development, I am resigning from the office of President of Romania. I will leave office the day after tomorrow, on 12 February,” said Iohannis.

When it annulled the first round of the presidential election in December, the Constitutional Court ruled that Iohannis could remain in office until a successor was elected.

But many experts questioned the decision, saying Romania’s constitution does not contain clear provisions on the extension of presidential terms beyond five years.

Extremist parties that formed in parliament after the parliamentary election on 1 December have repeatedly called on Iohannis to resign. POT, a newly formed extremist party that supported the pro-Russian candidate Călin Georgescu, has twice failed to secure enough votes to pass a motion to suspend the president.

With the support of 26 MPs from the pro-European USR (Renew) party, the third attempt was successful.

“It is a pointless endeavour because, in any case, I will be leaving office in a few months after the election of the new president. It is an unfounded endeavour because I have never – I repeat, never – violated the Constitution. And it is a harmful endeavour because, in the end, everyone loses, and no one wins,” Iohannis said, referring to the suspension procedure.

“On the international stage, the effects will be long-lasting and very negative. None of our partners will understand why Romania is dismissing its president after the process of electing a new president has already begun,” he added, saying this will make Romania look like a “laughing stock”.

On Monday, the parliament’s governing body decided that the plenary would vote on the president’s suspension request on Tuesday.

The Constitution provides that in the event of a vacancy, the interim presidency is assumed by the president of the Senate.

Since December last year, the Senate has been chaired by PNL President Ilie Bolojan.

[DE]

Source: Euractiv.com