Romania’s pro-EU prime minister resigns as Trump ally eyes presidency

Marcel Ciolacu quits after coalition candidate fails to make it to run-off against nationalist George Simion

Romania’s pro-EU prime minister, Marcel Ciolacu, has announced his resignation after his governing coalition’s candidate came third in the first round of a presidential election decisively won by a far-right Trump admirer who opposes military aid to Ukraine.

“Rather than let the future president replace me, I decided to resign myself,” Ciolacu, told reporters after a meeting at the headquarters of his Social Democratic party.