The Constitutional Court of Romania has appointed Senate President Ilie Bologian as the country's interim president. The decision comes after the resignation of the current head of state, Klaus Iohannis, who stepped down from office on February 11, reported "Agerpres".
Bologian will take office on February 12, and must step down from the leadership position of the National Liberal Party (NLP), as the Romanian constitution does not allow the president to be a member of a political party.
Claus Iohannis became the first president of Romania to resign. His second term officially expired on 21 December 2024, but was extended after the annulment of the presidential election by the Constitutional Court. Iohannis' decision to step down comes amid an impeachment initiative launched by several far-right parliamentary parties.
Ilie Bologian was born on 17 March 1969 in the village of Birtin, Bihor County. He graduated from a high school in mathematics and physics in Oradea, and then studied mechanics and mathematics at the University of Timișoara. In 2005 and 2006, he specialized in public administration in France and at the National Institute of Administration in Bucharest.
He has been a member of the National Liberal Party (NLP) since 1993. and was elected its chairman on 26 December 2024, following the party's poor performance in the first round of the presidential elections.
Boloșan was mayor of Oradea for 12 years (2008-2020), implementing numerous European projects during his term, turning the city into an attractive tourist destination. He was also chairman of the Bihor County Council and Secretary General of the Government (2007-2008).
In his personal life, Bologan is divorced. His ex-wife works as a consultant in an insurance company and a psychologist at the Oradea Maternity Hospital. They have two daughters.
According to his property declaration from June 2024, he owns two plots of land in Bihor with a total area of over 25,000 sq m, a house in the municipality of Vadu Crisului, an apartment in Oradea and a "Mercedes" car. He has over 190,000 lei (76,000 leva) in his bank accounts.