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Presidential elections will be held in Romania on 24 November 2024. [1] [2] A second round will be held on 8 December 2024 if no candidate receives an absolute majority of the vote. [2] [3] They will be the ninth presidential elections held in post-1989 Romania. As the Romanian Constitution allows a president to be re-elected only once, the incumbent, Klaus Iohannis, first elected in 2014 and then re-elected in 2019, is not eligible for re-election. His second (and last) term will formally end in December 2024.
Nevertheless, there was a speculation according to which the forthcoming Romanian presidential elections might have occurred earlier than to term, assuming that incumbent President Klaus Iohannis would have been nominated as Secretary General of NATO and that he would have accepted the nomination in the meantime, then the election would have likely been called in 2023 instead of 2024. [4] However, this ultimately did not come to pass, as Dutch former Prime Minister Mark Rutte was chosen to succeed the incumbent Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. [5]
President Klaus Iohannis is not eligible for another candidacy, therefore the party needs to find another suitable candidate. Former Prime Minister and former PNL president Ludovic Orban stated in Tecuci, Galați County, on 22 May 2021, that he does not "rule out" a candidacy in 2024. [6] On 25 June 2021, then-Prime Minister Florin Cîțu stated in Piatra Neamț that he is "currently not considering" a presidential candidacy. [7] Furthermore, fellow party leaders considered proposing Iohannis as Prime Minister after he ceases to be president. [8]
In a televised talk show on 24 April 2021, the party leader Marcel Ciolacu stated that it would be "very likely" that the party president (himself, at that time) would not run for president in 2024. [9] Asked about considering a presidential candidacy, member of the Chamber of Deputies, Alexandru Rafila vaguely answered on 4 July 2021 "never say never", but underlined that running for president is "definitely not my goal". [10] In another televised talk show, former Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu stated that the party is "going for the win" in all elections scheduled for 2024 (legislative, local, European Parliament, and presidential) and he "did not rule out" that Mircea Geoană could be, yet again, the party's presidential candidate. [11] Geoană ran for president in 2009, but narrowly lost in the second round to Traian Băsescu, who was then re-elected for a second and final term. According to ongoing speculation, Geoană may run for the presidency in 2024, but it is yet unclear if he will receive PSD support, according to incumbent PSD president Marcel Ciolacu. [12] [13] On 24 August 2024, at the PSD Congress, Ciolacu was officially designated as the party's presidential candidate.
Former 2019 candidate Dan Barna (and party co-president) stated in several interviews in April 2021 that his candidacy was "not ruled out" and a "real scenario". [14] Party co-president Dacian Cioloș stated in an interview on 18 February 2021 that he was also considering a potential candidacy. [15] On 1 October 2021, Cioloș stated that his objective was to win the 2024 presidential election. [16] On June 29, 2024, at the USR Congress, the newly elected party president, Elena Lasconi, was also officially designated as the party's presidential candidate.
Cristian Diaconescu, then newly elected president of the party in early 2021, was designated the party's presidential candidate. [17] However, some analysts believed that Mihail Neamțu, a current member of the PMP, might run instead, either as an independent (with PMP support) or as a candidate from another party. [18] On 23 March 2022, Cristian Diaconescu was excluded from the party by the new leadership, thus losing his presidential candidate status previously granted by the PMP. [19] Diaconescu subsequently filed to run as an independent candidate. [20]
On 28 June 2022, former Prime Minister, former PNL president, and current Force of the Right (FD) leader Ludovic Orban announced that he would run for president in 2024, also stating that he doesn't want to support any other candidate, being tremendously disappointed by the incumbent Klaus Iohannis. [21] Orban was the second former PNL president to run for the Romanian presidency supported by a breakaway faction of the PNL after Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu (Prime Minister between 2004 and 2008) who ran on behalf of the Liberal Reformist Party (PLR; one of the predecessors of the Romanian ALDE founded in 2015 through a merger with the Conservative Party (PC) and subsequently absorbed by the PNL in March 2022) in 2014, during that year's presidential election.
PER announced on 28 October 2024 its endorsement for Cristian Diaconescu. [22]
In 2019, the then-president of the Green Party, Florin Calinescu, declared that he wanted to run for the presidency in 2024. [23] In the meantime, in 2022, a new leadership of the Green Party was elected, together with the relaunch of the formation on 3 September 2022. In February 2024, the Green Party conveyed that it considered independent Mircea Geoana to be the only candidate with a real chance of winning the presidential election and who addresses green issues, considering his support in the election. [24] [25]
The Alliance for the Union of Romanians nominated its leader George Simion. [26]
The Constitutional Court notably disqualified far-right and pro-Russia S.O.S. Romania candidate Diana Șoșoacă from running, ruling that her public statements and conduct "systematically" violate the country's constitutional foundation of membership in Euro-Atlantic structures. [27] [28] In response, Șoșoacă claimed "[t]his proves the Americans, Jews and the European Union have plotted to rig the Romanian election before it has begun". [29] The court's ruling, which was split 5–2 along party lines, was criticized by some for being politically motivated, [27] including by the PNL, which ended its governing coalition with the PSD as a result of the decision. [30] PNL president Nicolae Ciucă claimed the court's decision showed the involvement of the PSD and endangers democracy in Romania, while PSD president Marcel Ciolacu reacted by saying that the Court should be reformed. [31]
These candidates' bids were validated by BEC. Some candidacies were challenged at CCR, but CCR rejected those claims.
Name | Born | Public Office Experience | Affiliation and endorsement | Alma mater and profession | Candidacy Announcement dates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ana Birchall | 30 August 1973 (age 51) Mizil, Prahova County | Deputy (2012–2020) Minister of Justice (2019) Minister Delegate for European Affairs (2017) | Affiliation: none | Faculty of Law and International Relations, ”Nicolae Titulescu” University (1996) Lawyer | Intention: 18 June 2024 [32] Official: 16 August 2024 [33] BEC filing: 4 October 2024 [34] [35] BEC validation: 6 October 2024 [36] |
Marcel Ciolacu | 28 November 1967 (age 56) Buzău, Buzău County | Prime Minister of Romania (2023–present) Deputy (2012–present) President of the Chamber of Deputies (2019–2020, 2021–2023) Deputy Prime Minister (2017–2018) Deputy mayor of Buzău (2008–2012) Acting prefect of Buzău County (2005) | Affiliation: PSD Endorsed by: PRO Romania | Faculty of Law, Ecological University of Bucharest (1995) Jurist, pastry owner | Denied interest: 24 April 2021 [9] Considering the candidacy: 15 March 2023 [37] Intention: 20 August 2024 [38] Official: 24 August 2024 [39] BEC filing: 5 October 2024 [40] [41] CCR rejected bid challenge: 5 October 2024 [42] [43] BEC validation: 6 October 2024 [44] CCR rejected seven validation challenges: four on 7 October 2024 [45] [46] [47] [48] [49] and three on 14 October 2024 [50] [51] [52] [53] |
Nicolae Ciucă [54] | 7 February 1967 (age 57) Plenița, Dolj County | President of the Senate of Romania (2023–present) Senator (2020–present) Prime Minister of Romania (2021–2023, acting in December 2020) Minister of National Defence (2019–2021) Chief of the Romanian General Staff (2015–2019) | Affiliation: PNL | Carol I National Defence University (1995) Nicolae Bălcescu Land Forces Academy (1988) Military | Considering the candidacy: 3 November 2023 [55] Intention: 15 July 2024 [56] Official: 15 September 2024 [57] BEC filing: 2 October 2024 [58] [59] BEC validation: 3 October 2024 [60] CCR rejected two validation challenges: 5 October 2024 [61] [62] and 14 October 2024 [63] [64] |
Cristian Diaconescu | 2 July 1959 (age 65) Bucharest | Presidential advisor (2012–2014) Minister of Foreign Affairs (2008–2009; 2012) Senator (2004–2012) Minister of Justice (2004) Secretary of State for European Affairs with Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2004) Secretary of State for Bilateral Affairs with Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2000–2004) | Affiliation: Independent Platform Association Endorsed by: PER | Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest (1983) Lawyer, Diplomat | Intention: 7 March 2021 Official PMP candidate: 7 March 2021 [17] Excluded from PMP: 23 March 2022 Considering the candidacy: 16 July 2024 [65] Official: 8 August 2024 [66] BEC filing: 4 October 2024 [67] BEC validation: 6 October 2024 [68] [69] |
Mircea Geoană | 14 July 1958 (age 66) Bucharest | Deputy Secretary General of NATO (2019–2024) Senator (2004–2016) President of the Senate of Romania (2008–2011) Minister of Foreign Affairs (2000–2004) Romanian Ambassador to USA (1996–2000) Former presidential elections: 2009: 31.15% (2nd place, 1st round), 49.66% (2nd place, 2nd round) | Affiliation: none Endorsed by: România Renaște Movement and Romania in Action Party | Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest (1993) Faculty of Mechanics, Politehnica University of Bucharest (1983) Diplomat | Considering the candidacy: 24 November 2023 [70] Intention: 25 August 2024 [71] Official: 11 September 2024 [72] BEC filing: 3 October 2024 [73] BEC validation: 3 October 2024 [74] CCR rejected four validation challenges on: 5 October 2024, [75] [76] 7 October 2024, [77] [78] 9 October 2024 [79] [80] and 14 October 2024 [81] [82] |
Călin Georgescu | 26 March 1962 (age 62) Bucharest | Executive director of the United Nations Global Sustainable Index Institute (2015–2016) Executive director of the National Center of Sustainable Development (1997–2013) Secretary of State with the Ministry of Environment (c. 2010) | Affiliation: none | University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest (1986) Agronomist | Considering the candidacy, endorsed by AUR: 20 November 2021 [83] Declined interest for public office: 18 February 2022 [84] Considering the candidacy, endorsed by PRR: 16 October 2023 [85] Official: 1 September 2024 [86] [87] BEC filing: 1 October 2024 [88] [89] BEC validation: 3 October 2024 [90] |
Hunor Kelemen | 18 October 1967 (age 57) Cârța, Harghita County | Deputy (2000–present) Deputy Prime Minister (2020–2023) Minister of Culture (2009–2012; 2014) Secretary of State with the Minister of Culture (1997–2000) Former presidential elections: 2019: 3.87% (6th place) 2014: 3.47% (8th place) 2009: 3.83% (5th place) | Affiliation: UDMR | University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca (1993) Faculty of Philosophy, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca (1998) Journalist, poet | Denied interest: 17 January 2023 [91] Intention: 5 September 2024 [92] Official: 6 September 2024 [93] BEC filing: 2 October 2024 [94] [95] BEC validation: 3 October 2024 [96] CCR rejected validation challenge: 5 October 2024 [97] [98] |
Elena Lasconi | 20 April 1972 (age 52) Hațeg, Hunedoara County | Mayor of Câmpulung (2020-present) | Affiliation: USR | Faculty of Management, Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies (2001) [99] Economist, journalist | Considering the candidacy: 16 June 2024 [100] Intention: 26 June 2024 [101] Official: 29 June 2024 [102] BEC filing: 1 October 2024 [103] [104] BEC validation: 3 October 2024 [105] CCR rejected validation challenge: 7 October 2024 [106] [107] |
Ludovic Orban | 25 May 1963 (age 61) Brașov, Brașov County | Deputy (2008–2016; 2020–present) President of the Chamber of Deputies (2020–2021) Prime Minister of Romania (2019–2020) Minister of Transport (2007–2008) Deputy Mayor of Bucharest (2004–2007) Secretary of State with the Public Servants Agency (2000–2001) Secretary of State with Public Information Department (1999–2000) General Secretary with Disabled Persons Directorate (1998–1999) Communications Director with Energy Policies Agency (1997–1998) Local counselor, Sector 1, Bucharest (1996–1997) Local counselor, Sector 3, Bucharest (1992–1996) | Affiliation: FD Endorsed by: PMP, AD, PNȚ-MM | Faculty of Industrial Machinery Technology, Transilvania University of Brașov (1988) Technological engineer | Considering the candidacy within PNL: 22 May 2021 [108] Resigned from PNL: 23 November 2021 [109] Considering the candidacy within FD: 14 December 2021 [110] Intention: 29 April 2022 [111] Withdrawal: 2 September 2024 [112] Official: 16 September 2024 [113] BEC filing: 5 October 2024 [114] [115] CCR rejected bid challenge: 5 October 2024 [116] [117] BEC validation: 6 October 2024 [118] CCR rejected validation challenge: 7 October 2024 [119] [120] |
Alexandra Păcuraru | 30 June 1987 (age 37) Galați, Galați County | Affiliation: ADN | Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University (undisclosed year) Faculty of Cinematography and Television, Media University (undisclosed year) TV anchor | Official: 16 September 2024 [121] [122] BEC filing: 5 October 2024 [123] [124] BEC validation: 6 October 2024 [125] | |
Sebastian Popescu | 12 February 1982 (age 42) Balș, Olt County | Former presidential elections: 2019: 0.33% (13th place) | Affiliation: New Romania Party | Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Banat University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Timișoara (2006) veterinarian | Intention: 2 April 2024 [126] Official: 20 April 2024 [127] BEC filing: 5 October 2024 [128] BEC validation: 6 October 2024 [129] |
Silviu Predoiu | 5 August 1958 (age 66) Bucharest | Acting chief of Foreign Intelligence Service (2006, 2007) | Affiliation: PLAN | Faculty of Geography-Geology, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest (1984) Intelligence officer | Considering the candidacy: 16 January 2024 [130] Intention: 23 March 2024 [131] Official: 7 September 2024 [132] BEC filing: 5 October 2024 [133] [134] BEC validation: 6 October 2024 [135] |
George Simion | 21 September 1986 (age 38) Focșani, Vrancea County | Deputy (2020–present) | Affiliation: AUR | Faculty of Business and Administration, University of Bucharest (2008) Civic activist | Denied interest: 27 March 2022 [136] Considering the candidacy: 20 February 2024 [137] Denied interest: 24 February 2024 [138] Considering the candidacy: 7 April 2024 [139] Intention: 11 May 2024 [140] Official: 15 June 2024 [141] BEC filing: 30 September 2024 [142] [143] BEC validation: 30 September 2024 [144] CCR rejected validation challenge: 7 October 2024 [145] [146] |
Cristian Terheș | 4 December 1978 (age 45) Zalău, Sălaj County | MEP (2019–present) | Affiliation: PNCR | Faculty of Greek-Catholic Theology, Babeș-Bolyai University (2000) Public Relations Certificate from Fullerton College (2013) Greek-Catholic priest | Considering the candidacy: 25 August 2024 [147] Intention: 31 August 2024 [148] Official: 1 September 2024 [149] BEC filing: 4 October 2024 [150] [151] BEC validation: 6 October 2024 [152] |
These individuals were part of the race in some way and their plans were stopped. Some failed to file their bid to BEC, withdrew from the race or recanted their interest in the presidential office. Here are also included candidates who are no longer in the race due to their bid being rejected by BEC, or whose bid or candidacy were legally barred by the CCR.
Name | Born | Public Office Experience | Affiliation and endorsement | Alma mater and profession | Former candidacy Announcement dates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cristian Badea | (age 41) undisclosed birthplace | Affiliation: New Romania Party | Faculty of Law, West University of Timișoara (2012) Jurist | Intention: 2 April 2024 [153] Lost party primaries: 20 April 2024 Endorsing Sebastian Popescu, after he became party nominee: 20 April 2024 | |
Florin Bădiță-Nistor | 26 May 1988 (age 36) Bucharest | Affiliation: none | Faculty of Psychology, Titu Maiorescu University (2010) Civic activist | Considering: 24 July 2024 [154] Intention: 6 August 2024 [155] Failed to file his bid to BEC: 5 October 2024 (post-factum withdrawal confirmed on: 24 October 2024) [156] | |
John Ion Banu Muscel | 8 July 1960 (age 64) Roman, Neamț County | Former presidential elections: 2019: 0.30% (14th place, last) | Affiliation: Romanian Nation Party | Politehnica University of Bucharest mechanical engineer | Official: 13 April 2024 [157] Last campaign message: 27 August 2024 [158] (campaign suspension reveals de facto withdrawal) |
Dan Barna | 10 July 1975 (age 49) Sibiu, Sibiu County | Deputy (2016–present) Deputy Prime Minister (2020–2021) Secretary of State with the Ministry of European Funds (2016) Former presidential elections: 2019: 15.02% (3rd place) | Affiliation: USR | Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest (1998) Lawyer | Considering the candidacy: 17 April 2021 [159] Failed to file his bid to party primaries: 27 June 2024 [160] Endorsing Elena Lasconi, after she became party nominee: 29 June 2024 |
Octavian Berceanu | 15 July 1976 (age 48) Bucharest | Senior Non-Key Expert on Afforestation at European Union High-Level Advisors' Mission to the Republic of Moldova (2023-present) Chief Comissioner of National Guard for the Environmental Protection (2021) General Counsellor of Bucharest (2017–2020) Local Counsellor of Sector 6 (Bucharest) (2016–2017) | Affiliation: Save Romania Union | Faculty of Forestry, Transilvania University of Brașov (1999) Environmental specialist | Intention: 27 June 2024 [161] Lost party primaries: 29 June 2024 [162] Endorsing Elena Lasconi, after she became party nominee: 29 June 2024 |
Florin Călinescu | 29 April 1956 (age 68) Timișoara, Timiș County | Affiliation: PDU | Caragiale National University of Theatre and Film (1979 or 1980) Actor | Intention: 27 February 2024 [163] Failed to file his bid to BEC: 5 October 2024 | |
Remus Cernea | 25 June 1974 (age 50) Bucharest | Deputy (2012–2016) Former presidential elections: 2009: 0.62% (8th place) | Affiliation: none | Faculty of Philosophy, University of Bucharest (2002) Civic activist | Intention: 22 February 2022 [164] Considering: 28 August 2024 [165] Failed to file his bid to BEC: 5 October 2024 Endorsing Kelemen Hunor: 12 October 2024 [166] |
Dacian Cioloș | 27 July 1969 (age 55) Zalău, Sălaj County | MEP (2019–2024) Prime Minister of Romania (2015–2017) European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development (2010–2014) Minister of Agriculture (2007–2008) Ministerial advisor with the Ministry of Agriculture (2005–2007) SAPARD implementation manager with the Representation of the European Commission in Romania (2002–2003) | Affiliation: REPER | Faculty of Horticulture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca (1994) Horticultural engineer | Considering the candidacy (within USR): 18 February 2021 [167] Resigned from USR: 31 May 2022 [168] Considering the candidacy (within REPER): 24 February 2023 [169] Recanted interest for public office: 26 June 2024 [170] |
Răzvan Constantinescu | 12 July 1967 (age 57) Roman, Neamț County | Affiliation: PPR | Faculty of General Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași (1992) Gastroenterologist | Intention: 28 March 2024 [171] Official: 1 July 2024 [172] BEC filing: 5 October 2024 [173] BEC rejection: 6 October 2024 [174] Valid signatures: 109.141/200.000 CCR appeal: 6 October 2024 CCR rejection: 7 October 2024 [175] [176] | |
Brîndușa Covaci | (undisclosed age) undisclosed birthplace | Affiliation: none | undisclosed education undisclosed profession | BEC filing (incomplete and overdue by choice): 9 October 2024 (deadline: 5 October 2024) BEC rejection: 10 October 2024 [177] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 | |
Miron Cozma | 25 August 1954 (age 70) Derna, Bihor County | Affiliation: none | Faculty of Mining Equipment, University of Petroșani (1977) mining engineer | BEC filing (incomplete by choice): 1 October 2024 [178] BEC rejection: 3 October 2024 [179] [180] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 CCR appeal: 4 October 2024 CCR rejection: 5 October 2024 [181] [182] [183] | |
Oana Crețu | 2 December 1975 (age 48) Bucharest | Affiliation: PSDU | Faculty of Law, Romanian-American University (1999) Lawyer | BEC filing (incomplete by choice): 5 October 2024 [184] BEC rejection: 6 October 2024 [185] Valid signatures: 24.060/200.000 | |
Cătălin Drulă [186] | 2 May 1981 (age 43) Bucharest | Deputy (2016–present) Minister of Transport and Infrastructure (2020–2021) | Affiliation: USR | Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto (2002) Software Engineer | Considering the candidacy: 5 September 2023 [187] Recanted interest: 10 June 2024 [188] Endorsing Elena Lasconi, after she became party nominee: 29 June 2024 |
Anamaria Gavrilă | 15 October 1983 (age 41) Deva, Hunedoara County | Deputy (2020–present) | Affiliation: POT | Faculty of Economy and Business Administration, West University of Timișoara (2007) Economist | Official: 30 August 2024 [189] [190] Last campaign message: 23 September 2024 (campaign suspension reveals de facto withdrawal) [191] |
Gheorghe Ghelcea | (undisclosed age) undisclosed birthplace (possible Drăgășani, Vâlcea County) | Affiliation: none | "Marin Sorescu" Art High-School, Craiova (undisclosed year) undisclosed profession | BEC filing (incomplete by choice): 4 October 2024 BEC rejection: 6 October 2024 [192] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 CCR appeal: 14 October 2024 CCR rejection: 15 October 2024 [193] [194] | |
Andi Grosaru | 4 December 1976 (age 47) Iași, Iași County | Deputy (2016–present) Administrator RAAPPS-Suceava County (2000-2001) | Affiliation: RO.AS.IT | Faculty of Economy, Università degli Studi di Torino (2004) Police Academy „Alexandru Ioan Cuza” (2005) Faculty of Economic Sciences and Public Administration, Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava (2006) Economist | Intention: 28 March 2023 [195] Official: 12 August 2024 [196] Last campaign message: 18 September 2024 [197] (campaign suspension reveals de facto withdrawal) |
Cozmin Gușă | 2 July 1970 (age 54) Câmpia Turzii, Cluj County | Deputy (2004–2008) | Affiliation: none Endorsed by: RoSAT [198] | Faculty of Physics, Babeș-Bolyai University (1994) Physicist | Intention: 18 April 2024 [199] Official: 7 May 2024 [200] Withdrawal: 22 August 2024 [201] |
Maria Marcu | (undisclosed age) undisclosed birthplace | Affiliation: none | undisclosed education undisclosed profession | BEC filing (incomplete by choice): 5 October 2024 BEC rejection: 6 October 2024 [202] Valid signatures: 1/200.000 CCR appeal: 6 October 2024 CCR rejection: 7 October 2024 [203] [204] | |
Andrei Marga [205] | 22 May 1946 (age 78) Bucharest | Minister of Foreign Affairs (2012) Minister of National Education (1997–2000) | Affiliation: none [206] | Faculty of Philosophy, Babeș-Bolyai University (1971) Philosopher | Considering the candidacy: 18 October 2022 [207] Recanted interest: 1 August 2024 [208] |
Ciprian Mega | 24 July 1985 (age 39) Adjud, Vrancea County [209] | Affiliation: none | Faculty of Theology ”Andrei Șaguna” , Sibiu (2009) Orthodox priest | BEC filing: 5 October 2024 [210] BEC rejection: 6 October 2024 [211] Valid signatures: 176.493/200.000 CCR appeal: 6 October 2024 CCR rejection: 7 October 2024 [212] [213] | |
Petru Mîndru | (undisclosed age) Sărmaș, Harghita County | Affiliation: ”Our Romania” Party | Faculty of Geography, Babeș-Bolyai University (undisclosed year) Military | BEC filing (incomplete by choice): 5 October 2024 BEC rejection: 6 October 2024 [214] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 CCR appeal: 8 October 2024 CCR rejection: 8 October 2024 [215] [216] | |
Aurelian Pavelescu | 20 October 1964 (age 60) Lădești, Vâlcea County | Deputy (2004–2008) | Affiliation: PNȚCD | Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest (1997) Faculty of Letters, University of Bucharest (1989) Lawyer | Intention: 14 June 2024 [217] Official: 15 June 2024 [218] Failed to file his bid to BEC: 5 October 2024 First public message that does not mention his presidential bid (de facto Withdrawal confirmation): 9 October 2024 [219] |
Victor Ponta | 20 September 1972 (age 52) Bucharest | Deputy (2004–2020) Prime Minister of Romania (2012–2015) Minister of Parliamentary Relations (2008–2009) Minister-Delegate for Control of International Grant Programmes Implementation and for Monitoring the Application of the Acquis Communautaire (2004) Head of the Government's Control Department (2001–2004) Head of the Bureau for Combating Money Laundering (2000–2001) Former presidential elections: 2014: 40.40% (1st place, 1st round), 45.60% (2nd place, 2nd round) | Affiliation: PRO Romania | Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest (1995) Prosecutor | Considering the candidacy: 27 May 2020 [220] Recanted interest: 5 September 2023 [221] Endorsing Marcel Ciolacu: 25 October 2024 [222] |
Ion Popa | (undisclosed age) undisclosed birthplace | Affiliation: none | undisclosed education undisclosed profession | BEC filing (incomplete by choice): 4 October 2024 BEC rejection: 6 October 2024 [223] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 CCR appeal: 10 October 2024 CCR rejection: 14 October 2024 [224] [225] | |
Valerian Stan | 4 May 1955 (age 69) Sascut, Bacău County | Chief of Government's Control Department (1996–1997) | Affiliation: PNȚ-MM | Nicolae Bălcescu Land Forces Academy (1977) Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest (1987) Human rights activist, Military | Intention: 22 July 2024 [226] Official: 3 August 2024 [227] Withdrawn by his party: 3 October 2024 [228] Excluded from party: 6 October 2024 and party leadership endorsing Ludovic Orban in the first round [229] First round: Boycott (22 October 2024) [230] |
Dumitru Stanca | (age 59) undisclosed birthplace | Affiliation: Save Romania Union | undisclosed studies Military | Intention: 27 June 2024 [231] Lost party primaries: 29 June 2024 [232] Endorsing Elena Lasconi, after she became party nominee: 29 June 2024 | |
Diana Iovanovici Șoșoacă | 13 November 1975 (age 48) Bucharest | MEP (2024-present) Senator (2020–2024) | Affiliation: S.O.S. [233] | Faculty of Law, Romanian-American University (possible), undisclosed promotion year [234] Lawyer | Denied interest: 17 February 2021 [235] Considering the candidacy: 15 December 2021 [236] Official: 24 June 2024 [237] First BEC filing: 3 October 2024 [238] [239] BEC validation: 3 October 2024 [240] Bid challenged at CCR: 3 October 2024 [241] First CCR rejection: 5 October 2024 [242] [243] Second BEC filing: 5 October 2024 [244] Final BEC rejection: 6 October 2024 [245] First CCR appeal: 6 October 2024 Second CCR rejection: 7 October 2024 [246] [247] Second CCR appeal: 7 October 2024 Third CCR rejection: 8 October 2024 [248] [249] Third CCR appeal: 11 October 2024 Final CCR rejection: 14 October 2024 [250] [251] |
Eugen Teodorovici | 12 August 1971 (age 53) Bucharest | Senator (2012–2020) Minister of Finance (2015, 2018–2019) Minister of European Funds (2012–2015) | Affiliation: BSR | Faculty of Commerce, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest (1997) Economist | Considering: 6 February 2023 [252] Intention: 26 November 2023 [253] Failure to file bid to BEC (de facto Withdrawal) confirmed on: 5 October 2024 [254] |
Cristina Tufănoiu | (undisclosed age) undisclosed birthplace | Affiliation: none | undisclosed education undisclosed profession | BEC filing (incomplete by choice): 4 October 2024 BEC rejection: 6 October 2024 [255] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 CCR appeal: 8 October 2024 CCR rejection: 8 October 2024 [256] [257] | |
Elena Tufecciu | (undisclosed age, possible 37) possible birthplace: Tulcea, Tulcea County | Affiliation: AUR (claimed) | Faculty of Banking and Finance Spiru Haret University (2008) Fashionista | BEC filing (incomplete by choice): 4 October 2024 BEC rejection: 6 October 2024 [258] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 | |
Oana Zăvoranu | 16 June 1973 (age 51) Bucharest | Affiliation: none | Faculty of Law, Titu Maiorescu University (2000) [259] Actress, singer, TV personality | Considering the candidacy: 30 March 2022 [260] Recanted interest: 17 October 2023 [261] | |
Silviu Zetea | 6 March 1961 (age 63) Seini, Maramureș County | Mayor of Medieșu Aurit, Satu Mare County (2012-2016) Local counsellor Medieșu Aurit, Satu Mare County (2000-2012) Vice-mayor Medieșu Aurit, Satu Mare County (1996-2000) | Affiliation: none | Mining Engineering Dept., Faculty of Technics, Elevated Education Institute, Baia Mare (1984) Faculty of Marketing, Vasile Goldiș Western University of Arad, Baia Mare branch (2009) Master Distiller | Considering the candidacy: 25 September 2021 [262] Intention: 25 March 2023 [263] Official: 17 June 2024 [264] Failed to file his bid to BEC: 5 October 2024 (post-factum withdrawal confirmed on: 7 October 2024) [265] |
These individuals have been the subject of speculation, but have publicly denied their interest in running for president. Here are also included individuals legally barred from running for president.
Name | Born | Public Office Experience | Affiliation | Alma mater and profession | Candidacy related info |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Emil Boc [266] [267] | 6 September 1966 (age 58) Răchiţele, Cluj County | Mayor of Cluj-Napoca (2004–2008, 2012–present) Prime Minister of Romania (2008–2012) Deputy (2000–2004) | Affiliation: PNL | Faculty of Law, Babeș-Bolyai University (1995) Faculty of History and Philosophy, Babeș-Bolyai University (1991) Lawyer | Denied interest: 28 December 2023 [268] Endorsing Nicolae Ciucă, after he became party nominee: 15 September 2024 |
Rareș Bogdan [269] | 17 September 1974 (age 50) Ocna Mureș, Alba County | MEP (2019–present) | Affiliation: PNL | Faculty of Administrative and Political Sciences, Babeș-Bolyai University (1997) Journalist | Denied interest: 3 July 2022 [270] Endorsing Nicolae Ciucă, after he became party nominee: 15 September 2024 |
Cătălin Cîrstoiu | 18 November 1974 (age 49) Pitești, Argeș County | Affiliation: none | Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (1999) Orthopedic physician | Denied interest: 9 May 2024 [271] | |
Florin Cîțu | 1 April 1972 (age 52) Râmnicu Vâlcea, Vâlcea County | Senator (2016–present) President of the Senate of Romania (2021–2022) Prime Minister of Romania (2020–2021) Minister of Public Finance (2019–2020) | Affiliation: PNL | Grinnell College (1996) Economist | Denied interest: 25 June 2021 [272] Endorsing Nicolae Ciucă, after he became party nominee: 15 September 2024 |
Viorica Dăncilă | 16 December 1963 (age 60) Roșiorii de Vede, Teleorman County | Prime Minister of Romania (2018–2019) MEP (2009–2018) Former presidential elections: 2019: 22.3% (2nd place, 1st round), 33.91% (2nd place, 2nd round) | Affiliation: PNCR | Faculty of Drilling of Wells and Exploitation of Hydrocarbon Deposits, Petroleum and Gas University, Ploiești (1988) Oil engineer, petroleum technology teacher [273] | Denied interest: 12 September 2024 [274] Endorsing Cristian Terheș: 12 September 2024 |
Vasile Dîncu [275] | 25 November 1961 (age 62) Năsăud, Bistrița-Năsăud County | Senator (2004–2007, 2020–present) Minister of Defence (2021–2022) Minister of Regional Development and Public Administration and Deputy Prime Minister (2015–2017) MEP (2007) Minister of Public Information (2000–2003) | Affiliation: PSD | Faculty of History and Philosophy, Babeș-Bolyai University (1989) Sociologist | Denied interest: 30 April 2022 [276] Endorsing Marcel Ciolacu, after he became party nominee: 24 August 2024 |
Liviu Dragnea | 28 October 1962 (age 62) Gratia, Teleorman County | President of the Chamber of Deputies (2016–2019) Deputy (2012–2019) Minister of Regional Development and Administration (2012–2015) Deputy Prime Minister of Romania (2012–2014) President of Teleorman County Council (2000–2009, 2012) Minister of Administration of the Interior (2009) Prefect of Teleorman County (1996–2000) | Affiliation: none (political rights judicially suspended between 29 May 2019 - 15 July 2024) [277] Most probable affiliation (after the political rights reinstatement): MRS [278] | Faculty of Management and Public Administration, Ecological University of Bucharest (2003) Faculty of Transport, Politehnica University of Bucharest (1987) Transport engineer, innkeeper | Legally barred: 4 July 2022 [279] |
Sorin Grindeanu | 5 December 1973 (age 50) Caransebeș, Caraș-Severin County | Minister of Transport (2021–present) Deputy (2012–2016, 2020–present) Deputy Prime Minister of Romania (2021–2023) Prime Minister of Romania (2017) President of the Timiș County Council (2016–2017) Minister of Communications (2014–2015) Deputy Mayor of Timișoara (2008–2012) Local Counsellor of Timișoara (2004–2008) | Affiliation: PSD | Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, West University of Timișoara (1997) Statistician | Denied interest: 20 April 2022 [280] Endorsing Marcel Ciolacu, after he became party nominee: 24 August 2024 |
Eduard Hellvig | 27 October 1974 (age 50) Zalău, Sălaj County | Director of the Romanian Intelligence Service (2015–2023) MEP (2007, 2013–2015) Minister of Regional Development and Tourism (2012) | Affiliation: none Most probable endorsement: PNL [281] | National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (2009) Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences, Babeș-Bolyai University (1997) Political scientist, journalist | Denied interest: 8 February 2024 [282] |
Laura Codruța Kövesi [283] | 15 May 1973 (age 51) Sfântu Gheorghe, Covasna County | European Chief Prosecutor (2019–present) Chief Prosecutor of the National Anticorruption Directorate (2013–2018) Prosecutor General of Romania (2006–2012) | Affiliation: none | Faculty of Law, Babeș-Bolyai University (1995) Prosecutor | Denied interest: 13 July 2022 [284] |
Daniel Morar | 15 August 1966 (age 58) Luduș, Mureș County | Supreme judge on the Constitutional Court of Romania (2013–present) Chief Prosecutor of the National Anticorruption Directorate (2005–2013) | Affiliation: none | Faculty of Law, Babeș-Bolyai University (1990) Prosecutor | Denied interest for public office: 19 December 2022 [285] |
Adrian Năstase | 22 June 1950 (age 74) Bucharest | Deputy (1990, 1992–2012) President of the Chamber of Deputies (1992–1996, 2004–2006) Prime Minister of Romania (2000–2004) Minister of Foreign Affairs (1990–1992)
| Affiliation: none (former: PSD; political rights were suspended between 20 June 2012 - 21 December 2021) [286] | Faculty of Sociological Studies, University of Bucharest (1978) Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest (1973) Jurist | Denied interest: 6 January 2021 [287] Legally barred: 4 July 2022 [279] |
Ioan-Aurel Pop | 1 January 1955 (age 69) Sântioana, Cluj County | President of the Romanian Academy (2018–present) | Affiliation: none | Faculty of History and Philosophy, Babeș-Bolyai University (1979) History professor | Denied interest: 4 February 2022 [288] |
Cristian Popescu Piedone | 15 February 1963 (age 61) Bucharest | Mayor of Sector 5 (2020–present) Mayor of Sector 4 (2008-2015) | Affiliation: PUSL | University of Petroșani (2002) Maître d'hôtel | Denied interest: 18 August 2023 [289] |
Dan Puric | 12 February 1959 (age 65) Buzău, Buzău County | Affiliation: none Probable endorsement: PUSL [290] | Caragiale National University of Theatre and Film (1985) Actor, mime artist | Denied interest: 20 February 2024 [291] | |
Alexandru Rafila | 27 December 1961 (age 62) Bucharest | Health Minister (2021–present) Deputy (2020–present) | Affiliation: PSD | Faculty of General Practitioners, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest (1987) Microbiologist | Denied interest: 28 June 2022 [292] Endorsing Marcel Ciolacu, after he became party nominee: 24 August 2024 |
Maia Sandu | 24 May 1972 (age 52) Risipeni, Fălești District, Republic of Moldova | President of Moldova (2020–present) Prime Minister of Moldova (2019) Deputy, Moldova (2014–2015, 2019) Minister of Education, Moldova (2012–2015) | Affiliation: PAS (in Moldova); none (in Romania) | Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (1994) Faculty of International Relations, Academy of Public Administration Economist | [293] [294] [295] [296] [297] Denied interest: 16 February 2023 [298] |
Validated candidate | |
During CCR screening | |
During BEC screening | |
Official campaign before BEC filing | |
Intention | |
Considering | |
Withdrawn candidate | |
First round | |
BEC filing deadline | |
2024 European elections and 2024 Local elections | |
2020 Parliamentary elections | |
2020 Local elections |
The electoral campaign for the first round started on 25 October 2024, 0:00 EET and will end on 23 November 2024, 7:00 EET. [299]
As of 29 October 2024, there were no electoral incidents recorded.
As of 29 October 2024, there was only one broadcasted debate. [lower-alpha 1]
Debate | Date | Time (EET) | Viewers | Broadcast type | Location | Sponsor(s) | Moderator(s) | Reference(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 29 October 2024 | 10:00–10:55 am | TBA | live TV | Romanian Television HQ, Bucharest | TVR Info | Marinela Mititelu | [300] [301] [302] [303] |
The following is a table of participating candidates in each debate:
Candidate | |||
---|---|---|---|
P Present N Not invited/Invitation declined A Absent (Invitation accepted, but candidate failed to show up) | Total | Interaction | |
1 | |||
Birchall | N | 0 | 0/13 |
Ciolacu | N | 0 | 0/13 |
Ciucă | N | 0 | 0/13 |
Diaconescu | N | 0 | 0/13 |
Geoană | N | 0 | 0/13 |
Georgescu | P | 1 | 1/13 |
Kelemen | N | 0 | 0/13 |
Lasconi | N | 0 | 0/13 |
Orban | N | 0 | 0/13 |
Păcuraru | N | 0 | 0/13 |
Popescu | P | 1 | 1/13 |
Predoiu | N | 0 | 0/13 |
Simion | A | 0 | 0/13 |
Terheș | N | 0 | 0/13 |
Electoral Coverage | TBD | — | — |
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
Debates may be broadcast on radio, television, or the internet. Candidates may show up in person or participate in the debate via telephone or video streaming for the entire debate time. Candidates who left the debate before 10% of the debate time elapsed (after a few words or several minutes) are considered absentees and their leaving is noted as such. In this particular situation (if it will occur), the debate is considered a valid one, because at least two candidates were present at its beginning. Candidates who left before the debate's ending are considered present, with their particular situation noted as such.
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