Klaus Iohannis: New President of Romania

Romania has a new president although, in a surprise turnaround, it is the National Liberal Party leader, Klaus Iohannis who won the election. Many were predicting that the victor would be Prime Minister Victor Ponta.

Social Democrat Ponta won in the first round voting, but Iohannis emerged the winner in the second round runoff. Iohannis told reporters that he believed his presidency will bring about a “consolidation of Romanian partnerships with the traditional partners, US, NATO, EU and will definitely bring more stability to this region.”

Ponta conceded defeat and congratulated Iohannis but also announced that he had no intention of resigning as prime minister.

Klaus Iohannis will succeed Traian Băsescu, who was Romania’s president since 2004 (except for a couple of short periods when he was suspended from office). Iohannis was previously the long-time mayor of Sibiu, the city of his birth.

Iohannis has been married for over 20 years. His wife, Carmen, is an English teacher at the Gheorghe Lazăr National College, and here is the new First Lady being congratulated by students: