Romanian president announces resignation amid growing political pressure

LONDON

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced his resignation on Monday after prressure from opposition groups who wanted him ousted.

“In order to spare Romania and the Romanian citizens from this crisis, from this useless and negative development, I am resigning from the position of president of Romania,” he said in a televised address, adding that he will leave office on Wednesday.

The move came after opposition’s motion filed in parliament to impeach him.

"It is a useless move, because in a few months I will be leaving office. It is an unfounded move, because I have never violated the Constitution. It is a damaging move," Iohannis, 65, said in his address.

In December, Romania’s Constitutional Court annulled the presidential run-off scheduled for Dec. 8.

Far-right Calin Georgescu had won the first round on Nov. 24, prompting accusations of Russian interference and ultimately leading to the annulment of the election by the Constitutional Court.

The two-round election will now be held on May 4 and a second round if no candidate obtains more than 50% of the vote on May 18.

Iohannis’ second and last term expired on Dec. 21, but he was to stay until a successor is elected.