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)

 

Mark Rutte Radu Miruta fb.com Radu Miruta
Today in the News Monday, 16 February 2026

Romania at the Munich Security Conference

  A defence ministry delegation led by minister Radu Miruţă recently took part in the Munich Conference, one of the most important and...

Romania at the Munich Security Conference
Nicuşor Dan (photo: presidency.ro)
Today in the News Monday, 16 February 2026

The Romanian President will be attending the Board of Peace

Romania’s President, Nicuşor Dan, on Sunday announced his participation this week in the first proceedings of the Board of Peace in Washington in...

The Romanian President will be attending the Board of Peace
Reuniune informală a liderilor UE / Foto: presidency.ro
Today in the News Friday, 13 February 2026

The EU will increase its competitiveness

At the end of an informal summit near Brussels on Thursday, European Union leaders promised more efficiency and less bureaucracy in business to cope...

The EU will increase its competitiveness
Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath, at the Victoria Palace / Photo: gov.ro
Today in the News Friday, 13 February 2026

The European Commissioner for Justice in Bucharest

Michael McGrath, the European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, met the head of the government in...

The European Commissioner for Justice in Bucharest
Today in the News Thursday, 12 February 2026

The magistrates pensions reform sees new delay

The Constitutional Court of Romania has postponed, for the fifth time, giving a ruling on the reform of magistrates’ pensions proposed by the...

The magistrates pensions reform sees new delay
Today in the News Thursday, 12 February 2026

Military cooperation

In Brussels, at the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, European defense ministers gave the final vote on rearmament programs for eight member...

Military cooperation
Today in the News Wednesday, 11 February 2026

Public administration reform – again in the spotlight

First mentioned by the government last summer, the reform of the Romanian public administration is still a fuzzy issue half a year later, despite it...

Public administration reform – again in the spotlight
Today in the News Wednesday, 11 February 2026

Measures against online harassment

Almost 80% of the Romanian children are surfing the Internet without any restrictions and the lack of parental control is more and more visible as...

Measures against online harassment

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