Romanian presidential candidate suspends campaigning due to lack of coalition support

Crin Antonescu, a prominent Romanian politician, has announced that he is suspending his candidacy for the 2025 presidential elections, citing a lack of support and clarity from the governing coalition.

Antonescu's statement, made during a live appearance on Digi24 on January 4 evening, has sent shockwaves through the political landscape as it raises questions about the stability of the coalition supporting him, Caliber.Az reports, citing Romanian media.

Antonescu, who had been nominated as the common candidate of the PSD, PNL, UDMR, and the group of national minorities, expressed disappointment over the absence of unanimous backing from the coalition's leaders and the absence of a clear election date.

Despite accepting the candidacy in December 2024 under the premise of urgency, Antonescu stated that, to date, no official election date has been set, and there has been no agreement from all coalition members regarding his candidacy.

“I declare this agreement suspended and, consequently, my candidacy,” Antonescu said. “I did not hesitate, I do not step back, I am willing, but I believe we must be honourable and serious people.”

Antonescu, who had originally accepted the nomination on December 22 under the impression that the election would be imminent, expressed frustration with the lack of progress. He pointed out that while urgency had been emphasized at the time, the coalition had yet to provide clarity on key details, particularly the election schedule. Additionally, he mentioned that not all coalition leaders were fully committed to his candidacy, with some remaining hesitant.

"If they want me to be a candidate again, they should look for me," Antonescu remarked, stressing that he did not seek the position out of personal ambition. “I am not a workforce available for candidacy. I did not ask anyone for the candidacy. There are enough amateurs on the market, thank God, so they can find someone. It's not my case!"

Antonescu's withdrawal marks a significant turning point in the 2025 presidential race. The decision casts doubt on the future of the coalition's unified strategy, which had previously rallied behind him as their candidate. The coalition protocol, signed in late December, stipulated that the coalition parties would vote on his candidacy in their respective leadership bodies, but this step has yet to be taken.

In his public remarks, Antonescu emphasized the need for transparency and responsibility from the coalition leaders, urging them to announce the date of the presidential elections and provide clarity on the process.

“I expect from them, as a citizen, to behave responsibly and announce immediately the date of the presidential elections, to provide all information and explanations about what happened in Romania with the cancellation of the elections,” he said.

By Khagan Isayev