Crin Antonescu gains official backing for Romania’s presidency
Crin Antonescu's presidential candidacy was officially confirmed on Sunday by a vote during the Social Democratic Party’s (PSD) extraordinary congress, reports news.ro.
He now has the official backing of the National Liberal Party (PNL), the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), and the Social Democratic Party (PSD).
According to the results announced at the PSD’s extraordinary congress, 5,516 of the 5,928 invited representatives were present. 5,484 votes were cast in favor, with 18 against and 14 abstentions.
“This could be the start of a beautiful friendship. In our case, it’s a bit different—the story is more intriguing, even more remarkable. What I truly wish for—not just for us, but for our country—is for this long and complicated story to have a happy ending. A happy ending means a stable Romania, with a normal relationship—after 20 years—between the president, Parliament, political parties, and, ultimately, the citizens. Thank you all very much!” said Crin Antonescu after the results were announced.
Romania’s presidential elections will be held on May 4 and 18, for the first and second rounds of voting, respectively.
The Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) annulled the presidential elections on December 6. The CCR did not explain its decision, which followed the declassification of intelligence reports documenting interference by a “state actor” in the campaign of candidate Călin Georgescu. The CCR also ruled that the presidential election process will be completely restarted.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
