RRI Live!

Listen to Radio Romania International Live

Crin Antonescu endorsed by the ruling coalition

The Former PNL president, Crin Antonescu, has officially been endorsed by the Social–Democrats to run in the upcoming presidential election and represent the ruling parties in Romania

Crin Antonescu at the PSD Congress/ Photo. Agerpres
Crin Antonescu at the PSD Congress/ Photo. Agerpres

, 03.02.2025, 14:00

The former Liberal leader, Crin Antonescu, has been endorsed by the parties that form the ruling coalition in Bucharest to run in the upcoming presidential election as their candidate.

After first getting the support of the National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, on Sunday, Antonescu, was endorsed by the representatives of the Social Democrats. His validation was expressed during a special congress held in Bucharest on Sunday, which was attended by thousands of delegates. Parties that are part of the incumbent ruling coalition in Romania must provide the correct alternative: Crin Antonescu, a person with a presidential profile, a man competent and experienced, the PSD president, Marcel Ciolacu says. According to him, at the previous election round in December last year, a round that was invalidated by the Constitutional Court due to interferences, Romania suffered a real social trauma, and the accumulated social frustration in time turned into an anti-system fury that eventually erupted. And for this reason, this moment is of major importance.

Marcel Ciolacu: “Here at the PSD, we never gave up when the going was tough and we must assume this moment as well, with the same amount of courage. To leave the country now prey to the mystic nationalism would be an act of cowardice towards the people and an unpardonable betrayal to Romania’s future. To repeat the same mistakes in the presidential election in May, would mean to set Romania’s clock 35 years back.”    

Crin Antonescu says that against the tense international background, Romania has to defend and observe its condition of an EU member country, a member of NATO and the strategic partnership with the United States of America.

The former Liberal leader pledged to be a strong president through commitment, attitude, dedication and partnership

Crin Antonescu: “I will be a strong president, not through the violation of the Constitution, not through its abusive interpretation, or by betraying its spirit, nor through machinations involving the secret services, or by interfering with or influencing the justice, which has been one of the biggest misfortunes of the past two decades in Romania.”

Referring to the statement of the extremist-sovereignist candidate, Călin Georgescu, who ended up on the first position in the previous round of voting and who said that he would dismantle the political parties, if elected, Antonescu argued that the disappearance of the political parties is tantamount to the disappearance of democracy, pluralism and freedom.

Before granting their support, the PSD, PNL and UDMR had ordered sociological surveys according to which, Crin Antonescu ranks among the firsts and stands good chances of making it to the second round. The first round has been slated for May 4 and the second for May 18.

(bill)

 

sursă foto: facebook.com/MinisterulEnergiei
Today in the News Thursday, 12 November 2026

Measures in the energy sector

Natural gas reserves stored to date should help Romania make it through this winter smoothly, assures Energy Minister Dumitru Chisăliță: “We rank amon…

Measures in the energy sector
Alexandru Nazare / Foto: gov.ro
Today in the News Thursday, 12 November 2026

Parliament dismisses motion against Finance Minister

The simple motion filed against independent Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare was voted down in a plenary session of the Senate in Bucharest. The Alli…

Parliament dismisses motion against Finance Minister
Photo: captura foto Administraţia Prezidenţială / YouTube
Today in the News Wednesday, 11 November 2026

Romanian president gives extensive press conference

Romanian president Nicușor Dan on Tuesday gave a marathon press conference. Many questions were awaiting him, as he is frequently criticised for being…

Romanian president gives extensive press conference
Alexandru Nazare (Photo: gov.ro)
Today in the News Wednesday, 11 November 2026

Finance ministry prepares report on the country’s financial situation

The report on Romania’s financial situation will be made public in the next few days, once the figures submitted by all ministries have been consolida…

Finance ministry prepares report on the country’s financial situation
Today in the News Tuesday, 10 November 2026

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen travels to Bucharest

Although challenged, as has been the case before, by the vocal fringe of Romanian politics, namely the populist ultra-nationalist Alliance for the Uni…

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen travels to Bucharest
Today in the News Tuesday, 10 November 2026

Europe and defence spending

European states are boosting their defence budgets but continue to purchase armaments separately, thereby missing out on the cost savings that joint p…

Europe and defence spending
Today in the News Tuesday, 10 November 2026

Will the “Bulgarian Hollywood” continue to work its cinematic magic?

Until recently, global stars such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone and Ryan Reynolds were filming Hollywood blockbusters there. Today, how…

Will the “Bulgarian Hollywood” continue to work its cinematic magic?
Today in the News Tuesday, 10 November 2026

Bulgaria’s National Music Academy: 105 years of artistic excellence and spirit

In 2026, the National Academy of Music “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov”, Bulgaria’s first institution of higher music education, marks its 105th anniversary …

Bulgaria’s National Music Academy: 105 years of artistic excellence and spirit

Partners

Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român
Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS
Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online
Institului European din România Institului European din România
Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti
Muzeul Național de Artă al României Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Le petit Journal Le petit Journal
Radio Prague International Radio Prague International
Muzeul Național de Istorie a României Muzeul Național de Istorie a României
ARCUB ARCUB
Radio Canada International Radio Canada International
Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti” Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti”
SWI swissinfo.ch SWI swissinfo.ch
UBB Radio ONLINE UBB Radio ONLINE
Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl
creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti
italradio italradio
Institutul Confucius Institutul Confucius
BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți

Affiliates

Euranet Plus Euranet Plus
AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters
Digital Radio Mondiale Digital Radio Mondiale
News and current affairs from Germany and around the world News and current affairs from Germany and around the world
Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona

Providers

RADIOCOM RADIOCOM
Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company