Romania must pick a new president in an election that’s critical for neighboring Ukraine
Crowds watch the National Day parade in Bucharest, Romania, Dec. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
DATE OF ELECTION
November/December
TYPE OF ELECTION
Presidential
WHO’S RUNNING
Romania’s incumbent pro-Western President Klaus Iohannis is wrapping up his second term and is not eligible to run again in the EU country. The final presidential candidates have not yet been announced, but there have been rumors that Social Democrat member and NATO Deputy-General Secretary Mircea Geona could run, as could former Liberal PM Florin Citu, Dan Barna of the United Save Romania party, and former PM Ludovic Urban. The rise over the last few years of a far-right populist AUR party — which is yet to announce any candidates — could be cause for concern since the party’s popularity continues to grow.
WHY IT MATTERS TO THE WORLD
NATO member Romania shares a long border with war-torn Ukraine and throughout Russia’s war has become an increasingly important alliance member. Romania hosts key multinational battlegroups on NATO’s eastern flank and plays an important role in helping Kyiv to transit goods through its territory amid Russia’s blockades of some key Black Sea ports. Electing another pro-Western president will be viewed as critical to the continuation of such support.
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