2024 Romanian presidential election

← 2019 24 November 2024 (first round, annulled)[a] 8 December 2024 (second round, cancelled) 2025 →
Turnout	52.56% (first round)1.38pp
Nominee Călin Georgescu Elena Lasconi Marcel Ciolacu Party Independent USR PSD Votes 2,120,401 1,772,500 1,769,760 Percentage 22.94% 19.18% 19.15%   Nominee George Simion Nicolae Ciucă Mircea Geoană Party AUR PNL Independent Votes 1,281,325 811,952 583,898 Percentage 13.86% 8.79% 6.32%
Results by county Results by commune
President before election Klaus Iohannis Independent ElectedPresident Election results annulled Klaus Iohannis remained president until his resignation on 12 February 2025, after whichIlie Bolojan served asacting president

Politics of Romania
Constitution Referendums 1991(adoption) 2003(amendments) Constitutional Court
Government President (list) Nicușor Dan Prime Minister (list) Ilie Bolojan Cabinet (current,list)
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Judiciary High Court of Cassation and Justice Constitutional Court Ombudsman Judicial reform
Political parties Parliamentary Social Democratic Party(PSD) Alliance for the Union of Romanians(AUR) National Liberal Party(PNL) Save Romania Union(USR) S.O.S. Romania(SOS-RO) Party of Young People(POT) Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania(UDMR) Other ethnic-minority parties Non-parliamentary People's Movement Party(PMP) PRO Romania(PRO) Greater Romania Party(PRM) Ecologist Party of Romania(PER)
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Presidential elections were held inRomania on 24 November 2024.^[1][2][3] Asecond round was due to be held on 8 December 2024 as no candidate achieved an absolute majority in the first round.^[2][4][3] However, on 6 December 2024 theConstitutional Court annulled the election, alleging that aRussian influence operation had impacted the vote. This was the ninth presidential election held inpost-revolution Romania.

The result of the first round was a surprise, with independentnationalist candidateCălin Georgescu achieving arelative majority of votes, while the center-right politicianElena Lasconi finished second and also advanced to the runoff vote. Initially viewed as a minor candidate with little chance of victory, Georgescu quickly gained significant support through campaigning on non-traditional media outlets such asTikTok, receiving particular popularity among those disaffected with current Romanian politics, includingyouth,farmers,rural voters, and members of theworking class. He was considered thefront-runner in the race,^[5] and polling conducted after the first round of voting found him to be the most popular figure in the country's politics.^[6]

Leading issues includedcorruption,LGBTQ rights, the role ofChristianity in public life, and the ongoingRusso-Ukrainian War. Georgescu, who has run on a nationalist platform, has criticised theNational Coalition for Romania, agrand coalition of Romania's two largest parties, as corrupt. He has favoured increasing the role of Christianity in public life, promised to outlaw "LGBT propaganda",^[7] put forward plans towards partlynationalising important industries,^[8] and promoted neutrality and national sovereignty, as well asnon-interventionism towards the Ukrainian War, without exitingNATO or theEuropean Union. Lasconi supportssecularism, furtherEuropean integration, alignment with the United States and the West, andincreasing military funding towards Ukraine.

Georgescu's campaign has been endorsed by an assortment ofChristian democratic, nationalist andagrarian political parties, including theAlliance for the Union of Romanians,S.O.S. Romania,Party of Young People,Romanian Socialist Party and theNational Peasants' Party.^[9] Lasconi's campaign has been endorsed by theNational Liberal Party,Democracy and Solidarity Party,Save Romania Union, andRenewing Romania's European Project, among several other parties. This was the first time since2000 that a nationalist candidate made it into the second round instead of either theNational Liberals or the now defunctDemocratic Liberal Party. It was also the first time in thepost-Communist period that theSocial Democrats failed to reach the run-off.^[10][11]

The aftermath of the first presidential vote was controversial and ledRomania to the brink of a political crisis.^[12] President Iohannis, who chairs the country's Supreme Council of Defence, accused Georgescu's campaign of being supported byRussia. Followingvote rigging allegations made by a minor candidate, theConstitutional Court of Romania ordered a recount,^[13][14] but ultimately decided to confirm the results of the first round on 2 December.^[15] On 6 December, the Constitutional Court reversed their decision and controversially annulled the first round of the election,^[16] after intelligence documents were declassified stating that Russia had run a coordinated online campaign to promote Georgescu.^[17][18][19]

On 20 December, an investigation was published contending that thePNL, one of the governing parties, had paid for the TikTok campaigns that theSupreme Council of National Defence said were "identical" to the online campaign launched by Russia before the invasion ofUkraine and which led to the cancellation of the first round.^[20][21]

Following consultations with various parliamentary groups, the government of Prime MinisterMarcel Ciolacu announced on 4 July 2024 that presidential elections would take place later that year on 24 November for a first round and 8 December for a second round. It also set parliamentary elections for 1 December.^[22] Prior to this, there was a speculation according to which the forthcoming Romanian presidential elections might have occurred earlier than to term, in the event that incumbent PresidentKlaus Iohannis would have been nominated asSecretary General of NATO and that he would have accepted the nomination in the meantime, then the election would have likely been called earlier than planned.^[23] This ultimately did not come to pass, as Dutch former Prime MinisterMark Rutte was chosen to succeed the incumbent Secretary GeneralJens Stoltenberg.^[24]

PresidentKlaus Iohannis was not eligible for another candidacy, therefore the party sought another suitable candidate. Former Prime Minister and former PNL presidentLudovic Orban stated inTecuci,Galați County, on 22 May 2021, that he did not "rule out" a candidacy in 2024.^[25] On 25 June 2021, then-Prime MinisterFlorin Cîțu stated inPiatra Neamț that he is "currently not considering" a presidential candidacy.^[26] Furthermore, fellow party leaders considered proposing Iohannis as Prime Minister after he ceases to be president.^[27] On 15 September 2024,Nicolae Ciucă, who was Prime Minister from 2021 to 2023, was formally designated as the PNL candidate for the presidency of Romania.^[28]

In a televised talk show on 24 April 2021, the party leaderMarcel Ciolacu stated that it would be "very likely" that the party president (himself, at that time) would not run for president in 2024.^[29] Asked about considering a presidential candidacy, member of theChamber of Deputies, Alexandru Rafila vaguely answered on 4 July 2021 "never say never" but underlined that running for president is "definitely not my goal".^[30] In another televised talk show, former Prime MinisterSorin 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" thatMircea Geoană could be again the party's presidential candidate.^[31] Geoană ran for president in2009 but narrowly lost in the second round toTraian Băsescu, who was then re-elected for a second and final term. Speculations were proven clear that Geoană was running for the presidency in 2024 but did not receive PSD support as it was initially believed according to incumbent PSD president Marcel Ciolacu.^[32][33] On 26 August 2024, at the two-day PSD Congress, Ciolacu was officially designated as the party's presidential candidate.^[34]

Former2019 candidate and party co-presidentDan Barna stated in several interviews in April 2021 that his candidacy was "not ruled out" and a "real scenario".^[35] Party co-presidentDacian Cioloș stated in an interview on 18 February 2021 that he was also considering a potential candidacy.^[36] On 1 October 2021, Cioloș stated that his objective was to win the 2024 presidential election.^[37] On 26 June 2024, at the two-day USR Congress,Elena Lasconi, the newly elected party president, was officially designated as the party's presidential candidate.^[38][39]

Cristian Diaconescu, then newly elected president of the party in early 2021, was designated the party's presidential candidate;^[40] however, some analysts believed thatMihail Neamțu, a current member of the PMP, might run instead, either as anindependent (with PMP support) or as a candidate from another party.^[41] 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.^[42] Diaconescu subsequently filed to run as an independent candidate.^[43]

On 28 June 2022, former Prime Minister, former PNL president, and currentForce of the Right (FD) leaderLudovic 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.^[44] Orban was the second former PNL president to run for the Romanian presidency supported by a breakaway faction of the PNL afterCălin Popescu-Tăriceanu (Prime Minister between 2004 and 2008) who ran on behalf of theLiberal Reformist Party (PLR; one of the predecessors of the RomanianALDE founded in 2015 through a merger with theConservative Party (PC) and subsequently absorbed by the PNL in March 2022) in 2014, duringthat year's presidential election. On 18 November 2024, during a live TV debate,Ludovic Orban announced his withdrawal from the presidential race and his endorsement toElena Lasconi, the USR candidate.^[45] His late withdrawal kept his name on the ballot and any vote received would still be counted as his. Technically, he continued campaigning but delivered messages of endorsement for Lasconi.^[3]

PER announced on 28 October 2024 its endorsement forCristian Diaconescu.^[46]

TheAlliance for the Union of Romanians nominated its leaderGeorge Simion.^[47]

TheConstitutional Court of Romania (CCR) notably disqualifiedfar-right and pro-RussiaS.O.S. Romania candidateDiana Șoșoacă from running, ruling that her public statements and conduct "systematically" violate the country's constitutional foundation of membership in Euro-Atlantic structures.^[48][49] In response, Șoșoacă claimed "this proves the Americans, Israelis and the European Union have plotted to rig the Romanian election before it has begun".^[50] The court's ruling, which was split 5–2 along party lines, was criticised by some for being politically motivated, undemocratic and a result of corruption,^[48] including by the PNL, which ended its governing coalition with the PSD as a result of the decision.^[51] PNL presidentNicolae Ciucă claimed the court's decision showed the involvement of the PSD and endangers democracy in Romania, while PSD presidentMarcel Ciolacu reacted by saying that the Court should be reformed.^[52]

Călin Georgescu, aRomanian nationalist who is a former member of the AUR, ran as an independent.^[53] He primarily conducted his campaigns throughTikTok.^[54]

These candidates were placed on the first and the second place in the first round, but none of them reached at least 50% of the votes. Thus, they qualified for the second round, to be held on 8 December 2024. The first round was later annulled by the Constitutional Court of Romania, invalidating this second round.^[55]

Name	Born	Public office experience	Affiliation and endorsement	Alma mater and profession	Candidacy Announcement dates
Călin Georgescu	26 March 1962 (age 62) Bucharest	Executive director of theUnited NationsGlobal Sustainable Index Institute in Geneva (2015–2016) Executive director of the National Center of Sustainable Development (1997–2013) Secretary of State with the Ministry of Environment (c. 2010)	Motto:Refacem România ([We are] Rebuilding Romania) Affiliation: none Endorsed by:POT (both rounds)[56] AUR,[57] PPR (second round)	University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest (1986) Agronomist	Considering the candidacy, endorsed byAUR:20 November 2021[58] Declined interest for public office:18 February 2022[59] Considering the candidacy, endorsed by PRR:16 October 2023[60] Official: 1 September 2024[61][62] BEC filing: 1 October 2024[63][64] BEC validation: 3 October 2024[65]
Elena Lasconi	20 April 1972 (age 52) Hațeg,Hunedoara County	Mayor ofCâmpulung (2020–present)	Motto:O Românie pentru toți, nu doar pentru unii. (A Romania for all, not just for some [people].) Affiliation:USR Endorsed by:PNL,REPER,FD,PMP,Demos,AD,ACUM,Volt, PNȚ-MM	Faculty of Management,Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies (2001)[66] Economist, journalist	Considering the candidacy:16 June 2024[67] Intention: 26 June 2024[68] Official: 29 June 2024[69] BEC filing: 1 October 2024[70][64] BEC validation: 3 October 2024[71] CCR rejected validation challenge: 7 October 2024[72][73]

These candidates' bids were validated by the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC). Some candidacies were challenged by the CCR, but rejected those claims. Excludes a valid candidate that withdrew during the electoral campaign and announced his endorsement to another candidate, while his name remained on the ballot.

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)	Motto:Mai bine (Better) Affiliation: none	Faculty of Law and International Relations,"Nicolae Titulescu" University (1996) Lawyer	Intention:18 June 2024[74] Official: 16 August 2024[75] BEC filing: 4 October 2024[76][77] BEC validation: 6 October 2024[78]
Marcel Ciolacu	28 November 1967 (age 56) Buzău,Buzău County	Prime Minister of Romania (2023–election day) Deputy (2012–election day) President of theChamber of Deputies (2019–2020, 2021–2023) Deputy Prime Minister (2017–2018) Deputy mayor ofBuzău (2008–2012) Acting prefect ofBuzău County (2005)	Motto:Calea sigură pentru România (The safe way for Romania) Affiliation:PSD Endorsed by:PRO Romania,PRPE	Faculty of Law, Ecological University of Bucharest (1995) Jurist, pastry owner	Denied interest:24 April 2021[29] Considering the candidacy:15 March 2023[79] Intention:20 August 2024[80] Official: 24 August 2024[81] BEC filing: 5 October 2024[82][83] CCR rejected bid challenge: 5 October 2024[84][85] BEC validation: 6 October 2024[86] CCR rejected seven validation challenges: four on 7 October 2024[72][73][87][88][89]and three on 14 October 2024[90][91][92][93]
Nicolae Ciucă[94]	7 February 1967 (age 57) Plenița,Dolj County	President of the Senate of Romania (2023–election day) Senator (2020–election day) Prime Minister of Romania (2021–2023, acting in December 2020) Minister of National Defence (2019–2021) Chief of the Romanian General Staff (2015–2019)	Motto:Cu onoare și credință în slujba țării (In country's service, with honor and faith) Affiliation:PNL	Carol I National Defence University (1995) Nicolae Bălcescu Land Forces Academy (1988) Military	Considering the candidacy: 3 November 2023[95] Intention:15 July 2024[96] Official: 15 September 2024[28] BEC filing: 2 October 2024[97][98] BEC validation: 3 October 2024[99] CCR rejected two validation challenges: 5 October 2024[100][101]and 14 October 2024[90][93]
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 withMinistry of Foreign Affairs (2004) Secretary of State for Bilateral Affairs withMinistry of Foreign Affairs (2000–2004)	Motto:Pentru România respectată (For [a] respected Romania) Affiliation: Independent Platform Association Endorsed by:PER	Faculty of Law,University of Bucharest (1983) Lawyer, Diplomat	Intention:7 March 2021 OfficialPMP candidate:7 March 2021[40] Excluded fromPMP:23 March 2022 Considering the candidacy: 16 July 2024[102] Official: 8 August 2024[103] BEC filing: 4 October 2024[104] BEC validation: 6 October 2024[105][106]
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)	Motto:Viziune. Respect. (Vision. Respect.) Affiliation: none Endorsed by:România Renaște Movement andRomania 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[107] Intention:25 August 2024[108] Official: 11 September 2024[109] BEC filing: 3 October 2024[110] BEC validation: 3 October 2024[111] CCR rejected four validation challenges on: 5 October 2024,[84][112] 7 October 2024,[72][73] 9 October 2024[113][114] and 14 October 2024[90][92]
Hunor Kelemen	18 October 1967 (age 57) Cârța,Harghita County	Deputy (2000–election day) Deputy Prime Minister (2020–2023) Minister of Culture (2009–2012; 2014) Secretary of State with theMinister of Culture (1997–2000) Former presidential elections: 2019: 3.87% (6th place) 2014: 3.47% (8th place) 2009: 3.83% (5th place)	Motto:Nimic nu crește când statul se mărește. Alege vocea rațiunii! (Nothing develops when the state enhances. Chose the voice of reason!) Affiliation:UDMR Endorsed by:AMT, MPE	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[115] Intention: 5 September 2024[116] Official: 6 September 2024[117] BEC filing: 2 October 2024[118][119] BEC validation: 3 October 2024[120] CCR rejected validation challenge: 5 October 2024[100][121]
Alexandra Păcuraru	30 June 1987 (age 37) Galați,Galați County		Motto:România se înalță cu demnitate (Romania ascends with dignity) Affiliation: ADN	Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures,Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University (2009) Faculty of Cinematography and Television, Media University (2009)[122] TV anchor	Official:16 September 2024[123][124] BEC filing: 5 October 2024[125][126] BEC validation: 6 October 2024[127]
Sebastian Popescu	12 February 1982 (age 42) Balș,Olt County	Former presidential elections: 2019: 0.33% (13th place)	Motto:Un președinte în slujba României (A president in Romania's service) Affiliation:New Romania Party	Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,Banat University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine,Timișoara (2006) veterinarian	Intention:2 April 2024[128] Official:20 April 2024[129] BEC filing:5 October 2024[126] BEC validation: 6 October 2024[130]
Silviu Predoiu	5 August 1958 (age 66) Bucharest	Acting chief ofForeign Intelligence Service (2006, 2007)	Motto:Meriți un președinte în serviciul tău! (You deserve a president in your service!) Affiliation:PLAN	Faculty of Geography-Geology,University of Bucharest,Bucharest (1984)[131] Intelligence officer	Considering the candidacy: 16 January 2024[132] Intention: 23 March 2024[133] Official: 7 September 2024[134] BEC filing: 5 October 2024[135][126] BEC validation: 6 October 2024[136]
George Simion	21 September 1986 (age 38) Focșani,Vrancea County	Deputy (2020–election day)	Motto:Președintele celor mulți (The president of the many) Affiliation:AUR	Faculty of Business and Administration,University of Bucharest (2008) Civic activist	Denied interest:27 March 2022[137] Considering the candidacy:20 February 2024[138] Denied interest: 24 February 2024[139] Considering the candidacy: 7 April 2024[140] Intention: 11 May 2024[141] Official: 15 June 2024[142] BEC filing: 30 September 2024[143][144] BEC validation: 30 September 2024[145] CCR rejected validation challenge: 7 October 2024[72][73] Second round: Endorsing Călin Georgescu (25 November 2024)[57]
Cristian Terheș	4 December 1978 (age 45) Zalău,Sălaj County	MEP (2019–election day)	Motto:Credincios națiunii române (Faithful to Romanian nation) Affiliation:PNCR Endorsed by: FIN, PRR	Faculty of Greek-Catholic Theology,Babeș-Bolyai University (2000) Public Relations Certificate fromFullerton College (2013) Greek-Catholic priest	Considering the candidacy:25 August 2024[146] Intention: 31 August 2024[147] Official: 1 September 2024[148] BEC filing: 4 October 2024[149][150] BEC validation: 6 October 2024[151]

These individuals were part of the race in some way and their plans 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, and a candidate that withdrew during the electoral campaign and announced his endorsement to another candidate, while his name remained on the ballot.

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[152] Lost party primaries: 20 April 2024 Endorsing Sebastian Popescu, after he became party nominee: 20 April 2024
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[153] Last campaign message: 27 August 2024[154] (post-factum withdrawal confirmed on: 27 October 2024 and switching to run as independent for Parliament as deputy ofArgeș County)[155]
Dan Barna	10 July 1975 (age 49) Sibiu,Sibiu County	Deputy (2016–election day) 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[35] Failed to file his bid to party primaries: 27 June 2024[156] EndorsingElena Lasconi, after she became party nominee: 29 June 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[157] Intention: 6 August 2024[158] Failed to file his bid to BEC: 5 October 2024 (post-factum withdrawal confirmed on: 24 October 2024)[159] Endorsing:Elena Lasconi (14 November 2024)[160]
Octavian Berceanu	15 July 1976 (age 48) Bucharest	Senior Non-Key Expert on Afforestation atEuropean Union High-Level Advisors' Mission to theRepublic of Moldova (2023-election day) Chief Commissioner ofNational Guard for the Environmental Protection (2021) General Counsellor ofBucharest (2017–2020) Local Counsellor ofSector 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] EndorsingElena 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 (post-factum withdrawal confirmed on: 30 October 2024)[164]
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[165] Considering: 28 August 2024[166] Failed to file his bid to BEC: 5 October 2024 EndorsingKelemen Hunor: 12 October 2024[167]
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 theEuropean 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 (withinUSR):18 February 2021[36] Resigned fromUSR:31 May 2022[168] Considering the candidacy (withinREPER):24 February 2023[169] Recanted interest for public office: 26 June 2024[170] Formerly Endorsing:Elena Lasconi,Nicolae Ciucă andLudovic Orban (16–18 November 2024) Elena Lasconi andNicolae Ciucă (18–21 November 2024)[171] Endorsing:Elena Lasconi (21 November 2024)[172]
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[173] Official: 1 July 2024[174] BEC filing: 5 October 2024[126] BEC rejection: 6 October 2024[175] Valid signatures: 109.141/200.000 CCR appeal: 6 October 2024 CCR rejection: 7 October 2024[72][176] First round: Null vote (11 November 2024)[177]
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[178] 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[179] BEC rejection: 3 October 2024[180][181] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 CCR appeal: 4 October 2024 CCR rejection: 5 October 2024[182][100][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[126] BEC rejection: 6 October 2024[184] Valid signatures: 24.060/200.000 Endorsing:Nicolae Ciucă (19 November 2024)[185]
Cătălin Drulă[186]	2 May 1981 (age 43) Bucharest	Deputy (2016–election day) 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] EndorsingElena Lasconi, after she became party nominee: 29 June 2024
Anamaria Gavrilă	15 October 1983 (age 41) Deva,Hunedoara County	Deputy (2020–election day)	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] EndorsingCălin Georgescu: 14 November 2024[192]
Gheorghe Ghelcea	(undisclosed age) undisclosed birthplace (possibleDrăgășani,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[193] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 CCR appeal: 14 October 2024 CCR rejection: 15 October 2024[194][195]
Andi Grosaru	4 December 1976 (age 47) Iași,Iași County	Deputy (2016–election day) AdministratorRAAPPS-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[196] Official: 12 August 2024[197] Last campaign message: 18 September 2024[198] (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[199]	Faculty of Physics,Babeș-Bolyai University (1994) Physicist	Intention:18 April 2024[200] Official: 7 May 2024[201] Withdrawal: 22 August 2024[202]
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[203] Valid signatures: 1/200.000 CCR appeal: 6 October 2024 CCR rejection: 7 October 2024[72][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[126] BEC rejection: 6 October 2024[210] Valid signatures: 176.493/200.000 CCR appeal: 6 October 2024 CCR rejection: 7 October 2024[72][211]
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[212] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 CCR appeal: 8 October 2024 CCR rejection: 8 October 2024[213][214]
Doina Noghin	born 1945 (age 79) Abrud,Alba County		Affiliation: none	undisclosed education chemist	Official: before 29 July 2004[215] BEC filing (incomplete and overdue by choice): 22 October 2024 (deadline: 5 October 2024) BEC rejection: 24 October 2024[216] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 CCR appeal: 29 October 2024 CCR rejection: 29 October 2024[217]
Ludovic Orban	25 May 1963 (age 61) Brașov,Brașov County	Deputy (2008–2016; 2020–election day) President of theChamber of Deputies (2020–2021) Prime Minister of Romania (2019–2020) Minister of Transport (2007–2008) Deputy Mayor ofBucharest (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)	Motto:Cinstit cu românii (Honest with Romanians) 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[25] Resigned from PNL:23 November 2021[218] Considering the candidacy withinFD:14 December 2021[219] Intention: 29 April 2022[220] Withdrawal: 2 September 2024[221] Official: 16 September 2024[222] BEC filing: 5 October 2024[223][224] CCR rejected bid challenge: 5 October 2024[84][225] BEC validation: 6 October 2024[226] CCR rejected validation challenge: 7 October 2024[72][73] Withdrawal: 18 November 2024[227] (due to his late withdrawal, during electoral campaign, his name will still be on the ballot and received votes will be counted as his) Endorsing: Elena Lasconi (18 November 2024)
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[228] Official: 15 June 2024[229] 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[230]
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[231] Recanted interest: 5 September 2023[232] EndorsingMarcel Ciolacu: 25 October 2024[233]
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[234] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 CCR appeal: 10 October 2024 CCR rejection: 14 October 2024[90][235]
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[236] Official: 3 August 2024[237] Withdrawn by his party: 3 October 2024[238] Excluded from party: 6 October 2024 and party leadership endorsingLudovic Orban in the first round[239] First round: Boycott (22 October 2024)[240]
Dumitru Stanca	(age 59) undisclosed birthplace		Affiliation:Save Romania Union	undisclosed studies Military	Intention: 27 June 2024[241] Lost party primaries: 29 June 2024[162] EndorsingElena Lasconi, after she became party nominee: 29 June 2024
Diana Iovanovici Șoșoacă	13 November 1975 (age 49) Bucharest	MEP (2024-election day) Senator (2020–2024)	Affiliation:S.O.S.[242]	Faculty of Law, Romanian-American University (possible), undisclosed promotion year[243] Lawyer	Denied interest: 17 February 2021[244] Considering the candidacy:15 December 2021[245] Official: 24 June 2024[246] First BEC filing: 3 October 2024[247][248] BEC validation: 3 October 2024[249] Bid challenged at CCR: 3 October 2024[100] First CCR rejection: 5 October 2024[250][100] Second BEC filing: 5 October 2024[251] Final BEC rejection: 6 October 2024[252] First CCR appeal: 6 October 2024 Second CCR rejection: 7 October 2024[72][253] Second CCR appeal: 7 October 2024 Third CCR rejection: 8 October 2024[213][254] Third CCR appeal: 11 October 2024 Final CCR rejection: 14 October 2024[90][255] First round: Null vote[256]
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[257] Intention: 26 November 2023[258] Failure to file bid to BEC (de facto Withdrawal) confirmed on: 5 October 2024[259] Endorsing:Marcel Ciolacu (8 November 2024)[260] Endorsing:Călin Georgescu (17 November 2024)[261]
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[262] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 CCR appeal: 8 October 2024 CCR rejection: 8 October 2024[213][263]
Elena Tufecciu	(undisclosed age, possible 37) possible birthplace:Tulcea,Tulcea County		Affiliation:AUR (claimed)	Faculty of Banking and FinanceSpiru Haret University (2008) Fashionista	BEC filing (incomplete by choice): 4 October 2024 BEC rejection: 6 October 2024[264] Valid signatures: 0/200.000
Oana Zăvoranu	16 June 1973 (age 51) Bucharest		Affiliation: none	Faculty of Law,Titu Maiorescu University (2000)[265] Actress, singer, TV personality	Considering the candidacy:30 March 2022[266] Recanted interest: 17 October 2023[267]
Silviu Zetea	6 March 1961 (age 63) Seini,Maramureș County	Mayor ofMedieșu Aurit,Satu Mare County (2012–2016) Local counsellorMedieșu Aurit,Satu Mare County (2000–2012) Vice-mayorMedieșu 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[268] Intention: 25 March 2023[269] Official: 17 June 2024[270] Failed to file his bid to BEC: 5 October 2024 (post-factum withdrawal confirmed on: 7 October 2024)[271]

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[272][273]	6 September 1966 (age59) Răchiţele,Cluj County	Mayor of Cluj-Napoca (2004–2008, 2012–election day) 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[274] EndorsingNicolae Ciucă, after he became party nominee: 15 September 2024
Rareș Bogdan[275]	17 September 1974 (age51) Ocna Mureș,Alba County	MEP (2019–election day)	Affiliation:PNL	Faculty of Administrative and Political Sciences,Babeș-Bolyai University (1997) Journalist	Denied interest:3 July 2022[276] EndorsingNicolae Ciucă, after he became party nominee: 15 September 2024
Cătălin Cîrstoiu	18 November 1974 (age51) Pitești,Argeș County		Affiliation: none	Faculty of Medicine,Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (1999) Orthopedic physician	Denied interest:9 May 2024[277]
Florin Cîțu	1 April 1972 (age53) Râmnicu Vâlcea,Vâlcea County	Senator (2016–election day) 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[26] EndorsingNicolae Ciucă, after he became party nominee: 15 September 2024
Viorica Dăncilă	16 December 1963 (age61) 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[278]	Denied interest: 12 September 2024[279] EndorsingCristian Terheș: 12 September 2024
Vasile Dîncu[275]	25 November 1961 (age64) Năsăud,Bistrița-Năsăud County	Senator (2004–2007, 2020–election day) Minister of Defence (2021–2022) Minister of Regional Development and Public Administration andDeputy 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[280] EndorsingMarcel Ciolacu, after he became party nominee: 24 August 2024
Liviu Dragnea	28 October 1962 (age63) Gratia,Teleorman County	President of the Chamber of Deputies (2016–2019) Deputy (2012–2019) Minister of Regional Development and Administration (2012–2015) DeputyPrime Minister of Romania (2012–2014) President ofTeleorman County Council (2000–2009, 2012) Minister of Administration of the Interior (2009) Prefect ofTeleorman County (1996–2000)	Affiliation: none(political rights judicially suspended between 29 May 2019 – 15 July 2024)[281] Most probable affiliation (after the political rights reinstatement):MRS[282]	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[283] Endorsing:Nicolae Ciucă (21 November 2024)[284]
Sorin Grindeanu	5 December 1973 (age51) Caransebeș,Caraș-Severin County	Minister of Transport (2021–election day) Deputy (2012–2016, 2020–election day) Deputy Prime Minister of Romania (2021–2023) Prime Minister of Romania (2017) President of theTimiș County Council (2016–2017) Minister of Communications (2014–2015) Deputy Mayor ofTimișoara (2008–2012) Local Counsellor ofTimișoara (2004–2008)	Affiliation:PSD	Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, West University of Timișoara (1997) Statistician	Denied interest:20 April 2022[285] EndorsingMarcel Ciolacu, after he became party nominee: 24 August 2024
Eduard Hellvig	27 October 1974 (age51) Zalău,Sălaj County	Director of theRomanian Intelligence Service (2015–2023) MEP (2007, 2013–2015) Minister of Regional Development and Tourism (2012)	Affiliation: none Most probable endorsement:PNL[286]	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[287]
Laura Codruța Kövesi[288]	15 May 1973 (age52) Sfântu Gheorghe,Covasna County	European Chief Prosecutor (2019–election day) Chief Prosecutor of theNational 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[289]
Daniel Morar	15 August 1966 (age59) Luduș,Mureș County	Supreme judge on theConstitutional Court of Romania (2013–election day) Chief Prosecutor of theNational Anticorruption Directorate (2005–2013)	Affiliation: none	Faculty of Law,Babeș-Bolyai University (1990) Prosecutor	Denied interest for public office:19 December 2022[290]
Adrian Năstase	22 June 1950 (age75) Bucharest	Deputy (1990, 1992–2012) President of theChamber of Deputies (1992–1996, 2004–2006) Prime Minister of Romania (2000–2004) Minister of Foreign Affairs (1990–1992) Former presidential elections: 2004: 40.9% (1st place, 1st round), 48.77% (2nd place, 2nd round)	Affiliation: none (former:PSD; political rights were suspended between 20 June 2012 – 21 December 2021)[291]	Faculty of Sociological Studies,University of Bucharest (1978) Faculty of Law,University of Bucharest (1973) Jurist	Denied interest:6 January 2021[292] Legally barred:4 July 2022[283]
Ioan-Aurel Pop	1 January 1955 (age70) Sântioana,Cluj County	President of theRomanian Academy (2018–election day)	Affiliation: none	Faculty of History and Philosophy,Babeș-Bolyai University (1979) History professor	Denied interest:4 February 2022[293]
Cristian Popescu Piedone	15 February 1963 (age62) Bucharest	Mayor ofSector 5 (2020–election day) Mayor ofSector 4 (2008–2015)	Affiliation:PUSL	University of Petroșani (2002) Maître d'hôtel	Denied interest:18 August 2023[294]
Dan Puric	12 February 1959 (age66) Buzău,Buzău County		Affiliation: none Probable endorsement:PUSL[295]	Caragiale National University of Theatre and Film (1985) Actor, mime artist	Denied interest: 20 February 2024[296]
Alexandru Rafila	27 December 1961 (age63) Bucharest	Health Minister (2021–election day) Deputy (2020–election day)	Affiliation:PSD	Faculty of General Practitioners,Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy,Bucharest (1987) Microbiologist	Denied interest:28 June 2022[297] EndorsingMarcel Ciolacu, after he became party nominee: 24 August 2024
Maia Sandu	24 May 1972 (age53) Risipeni,Fălești District,Republic of Moldova	President of Moldova (2020–election day) 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 [ro] Economist	[298][299][300][301][302] Denied interest:16 February 2023[303]

Therole of Christianity andpatriotism inRomanian public life has become a leading issue in the campaign. Often both supported and mocked as "The TikTok Messiah" for his religious nationalist messaging and use of the appTikTok, Georgescu has gained appeal among religious Romanians, appealing tonatalism,family values,patriotism, andtraditionalism.^[304][305]

Both Călin Georgescu and Elena Lasconi have criticisedcorruption in Romania, which has become central to their appeal.^[306] Georgescu has accused the mainstream political parties, particularly theNational Coalition for Romania between the center-leftSocial Democratic Party and the center-rightNational Liberal Party, of fostering corruption.^[307]

Lasconi favours Romania closely aligning with theUnited States,European Union, andNATO, while opposing Russia, while Georgescu has stated that he favours Romania's geopoliticalnon-alignment between the two power blocs.^[308] Georgescu has also pledged to end military aid to Ukraine.^[309] Following the first round, Lasconi said that Romania was in "a historical confrontation between preserving Romania's young democracy ... and those who want to return Romania to the Russian sphere of influence". She also accused Georgescu of being an isolationist and an "open admirer ofVladimir Putin". Georgescu denied being an extremist or a fascist and said that he is "completely dedicated to the Romanian people", adding: "We remain directly linked toEuropean values, but we must find our (own) values."^[308]

LGBTQ rights are expected to be a major issue in the campaign. In the second round of the campaign, LGBTQ rights organizations have made strong endorsements for Lasconi, despite her past comments, while Georgescu explicitly rejectsLGBTQ rights movements.^[310] Lasconi's positions have become significantly favourable towards LGBTQ rights. Earlier in 2023, Lasconi stated that she would have voted "Yes" during thefailed referendum on the constitutional prohibition of same-sex unions. Her daughter, Oana, subsequently denounced her as a "homophobe" and stated that she was "shocked and disgusted" at her mother.^[311] Lasconi immediately retracted this position, stated that she does not opposecivil unions or (in the distant future)marriage for LGBTQ couples, while stating that her party remains open for individuals who aregender orsexual minorities, and that the party is open to all, "be they ...atheists [or]LGBTQ individuals".^[310]

The debates^[b] started on 28 October 2024, three days after the start of the campaign. The last first round debate was broadcast on 21 November 2024, 8:30 hours before the electoral campaign ended. There had been 38 broadcast debates: 30 televised, six on the radio and three online. The broadcasters were:

• TVR Info (seven debates and one in syndication);
• Radio România Actualități (six debates);
• TVR 1 (five debates);
• Digi24 (four debates);
• TVR Timișoara (three debates);
• Euronews România,România TV,B1 TV and Metropola TV (each with two debates)
• A7 TV,Gândul,Antena 3,Ștefan Mandachi's video podcast,Cosmin Nedelcu's video podcast,TVR Moldova andTVR International (each with a sole debate; the last two only in syndication).

All the debates, except #17, #19 and #31:
Bucharest

Debates #17, #19 and #31:
Timișoara

class=notpageimage|

Sites of the presidential debates

The following is a table of participating candidates in each debate:

The table below lists the political parties and other political organizations that supported any of the candidates in the first and second rounds of the presidential election.

Recently reelectedMoldovan presidentMaia Sandu, who is also a Romanian citizen, announced her support for Elena Lasconi in the second round of the election.^[486] Georgian presidentSalome Zourabichvili also expressed support for Lasconi, just like French PresidentEmmanuel Macron.^[487][488]Răzvan Burleanu, the president of theRomanian Football Federation, urged fans to support "European values".^[489] TheRomanian Orthodox Church said it supported Romania's membership in the European Union.^[490]

The results of the first round of voting were widely described as a shock, with both second round contendersCălin Georgescu andElena Lasconi outperforming polling expectations.^[10][11] The underwhelming performance ofPrime MinisterMarcel Ciolacu led to the first presidential election in the history ofpost-communist Romania in which theSocial Democratic candidate did not make it to the second round of voting. TheNational Liberals marked their worst ever result in a presidential race, asNicolae Ciucă ended up in fifth place with 8.79% of the vote.Right-wing populistGeorge Simion also registered a weak result, after it was widely speculated he would advance to the second round in December.^[491]

Turnout was higher than in2019, with 9,465,257 Romanians showing up to the polls, representing 52.56% of the eligible electorate.