Romania's interior minister named as interim PM

BUCHAREST -- Romania's Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu was named interim prime minister on Tuesday, following the resignation of Marcel Ciolacu.

Interim President Ilie Bolojan signed the decree under constitutional provisions that acknowledge Ciolacu's resignation and install Predoiu to serve until a new government is formed, the Presidential Administration said in a statement.

Ciolacu stepped down on Monday after the ruling Social Democratic Party withdrew from the governing coalition. Under Romania's Constitution, an acting prime minister may remain in office for up to 45 days.

Predoiu, 56, is a veteran politician who has served multiple terms as justice minister and briefly acted as caretaker prime minister in 2012 and 2023. He has served as interior minister since June 2023 and was reappointed in December 2024.