Romania’s 2024 Presidential Election: The Candidates, by Nine O’Clock
MARCEL CIOLACU
At 56, Marcel Ciolacu is the leader of the leftist Social Democrats (PSD), Romania’s largest party, and the current prime minister in a coalition with the center-right Liberals (PNL). He leads in opinion polls, with many voters attracted to his promise of stability. Although he has previously hesitated on certain governance and pension reforms required by Brussels, Ciolacu remains a staunch supporter of Romania’s EU and NATO membership and its strategic relationship with the United States. He is a strong advocate for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
Under Ciolacu’s leadership, high government spending ahead of the elections is expected to push the budget deficit to 8% of GDP, the highest in the EU this year. He opposes same-sex marriage and stated last year that legalizing civil unions is not among his priorities.
NICOLAE CIUCA
Nicolae Ciuca, 57, is the Speaker of the Senate and leader of the center-right Liberal Party (PNL). He served as prime minister from late 2021 to mid-2023, and led a grand coalition government with Ciolacu’s Social Democrats starting in 2021.
A retired army general, Ciuca entered politics in 2019 and quickly ascended to top party and government roles, supported by outgoing President Klaus Iohannis. He is a strong proponent of Ukraine and maintains a pro-Western stance.
A devout Christian, Ciuca opposes both same-sex marriage and civil unions, and has suggested that the EU must reassess its migration policies.
MIRCEA GEOANA
At 66, Mircea Geoana, a former NATO deputy secretary general, is running as an independent. A former leader of the PSD, Geoana lost the presidential race in 2009.
He has expressed support for a peace solution in Ukraine, even if it requires conceding territory to Russia—a shift from his original NATO position, influenced by Trump’s re-election.
Geoana often highlights his extensive political experience, including his tenure as foreign minister, ambassador to Washington, and NATO official, which he believes makes him the most qualified candidate for president. He also asserts that Romanian society is not yet ready for same-sex marriage or civil unions
GEORGE SIMION
At 38, George Simion is the leader of the radical-right Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR), a party founded five years ago that entered parliament in 2020. He ranks second in opinion polls and has strong support from the Romanian diaspora and young voters.
Simion opposes military aid to Ukraine and says he would support peace efforts led by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has stated he aims to end the war without specifying how. Simion supports restoring Romania’s 1940 borders, which would include territories now part of Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine. He is banned from entering Moldova and Ukraine.
While he wants Romania to remain in the EU, Simion advocates for more national control and opposes eurozone membership. A conservative Christian, he supported a failed 2018 referendum to amend Romania’s constitution and prevent same-sex marriage.
ELENA LASCONI
Elena Lasconi, 52, is the mayor of Campulung in central Romania and leader of the center-right opposition party, Save Romania Union (USR). A former journalist, Lasconi joined USR in 2018 and became its head in 2024. As the only female presidential candidate ranked in the top five by opinion surveys, she advocates for increased defense spending and supporting Ukraine.
Positioning herself as an anti-establishment candidate, Lasconi calls for greater action against high-level corruption and for the removal of political influence from healthcare and education. She is pro-EU and NATO.
Lasconi is the only top-five candidate who supports civil unions for same-sex couples, though she opposes marriage legalization.
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