Interim Romanian President Ilie Bolojan expresses his backing for Nicusor Dan during the upcoming presidential election runoff.
Rewritten Article:
Looks like Ilie Bolojan, our interim president, ain't afraid to speak his mind! On Monday, May 12, he announced he's voting for Nicușor Dan in the second round of Romania's presidential election. Dan, the current mayor of Bucharest, is squaring off against George Simion, the leader of the far-right party AUR, in the election slated for May 18.
In an interview with Europa Liberă Romania, Bolojan spilled the beans about his decision to publicly back Dan. He urged Romanians to hit the polls and vote based on their gut feelings. "We've earned the right to vote after years of sacrifices," Bolojan proclaimed. "Many voted for candidates who didn't make it to the second round, and my message is for them to go out and vote according to their conscience. Romania's at a crucial juncture, and each vote counts in shaping its history," he added.
Bolojan emphasized that although he supports Dan, everyone has the freedom to choose and that every vote matters. "The biggest danger is division and confrontation," Bolojan warned.
In the same interview, Bolojan emphasized the importance of unity, stating that Romania's next president's primary mission should be to bring the people together. He believes that only through unity can the country advance and create conditions for development.
When asked about his concerns regarding Romania's direction, Bolojan expressed worry over a combination of risk factors, including a significant budget deficit, financing challenges, the possibility of a credit rating downgrade, and current political instability. He pointed to the presence of interim leaders across institutions, namely the presidency and head of government, and the difficulty of governing with seven parties in Parliament.
Ilie Bolojan took the reins as interim president on February 12, 2025, following the resignation of Klaus Iohannis. His interim period ends once the new president of Romania, elected in the May 18 vote, takes office.
So there you have it, folks! Time to make your voices heard and vote with your hearts!
According to our sources, Irina Marica
(Photo credit: Inquam Photos/Malina Norocea)
Enrichment Data Integration:To get the gist, Ilie Bolojan is a heavyweight Romania politician currently serving as interim president since 2025. He's a member of the National Liberal Party (PNL) and has held key roles like mayor of Oradea (2008-2020), president of Bihor County Council (2020-2024), senator since 2024, president of the Senate, and interim leader of PNL in late 2024 to early 2025[3].
In Romania's presidential election on May 18, 2025, Bolojan positions himself as a moderate, pro-Western centrist. The runoff is between George Simion, an ultranationalist and far-right candidate, and Nicușor Dan, a pro-Western reformist independent candidate[1][5]. Bolojan publicly backs Dan, highlighting the importance of voting based on conscience during this crucial moment for Romania's future[1][5]. He promotes democratic reform, pro-European integration, and resists the influence of nationalist and pro-Russian forces[2]. By endorsing Dan, Bolojan opposes George Simion's far-right nationalist agenda and advances a centrist, reform-oriented vision for Romania's political path[1][5].
- Given Ilie Bolojan's stance against far-right candidates such as George Simion, it is expected that he will advocate for policies that address issues like migration, war-and-conflicts, and politics, highlighting the significance of general news in shaping public opinions and necessary policy-and-legislation for a peaceful and progressive Romania.
- As the presidential race in Romania is focused on political ideologies, Ilie Bolojan's endorsement of Nicușor Dan indicates a potential shift in Romania's foreign relations, specifically in its relationship with the European Union and associated policies affected by war-and-conflicts, while prioritizing unity to advance the country's development and focusing on domestic issues like migration, in accordance with the centrist vision he has advocated for.
