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'{{short description|Prime Minister of Romania since 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Marcel Ciolacu | image = Marcel Ciolacu, September 2024 (cropped).jpg | caption = Ciolacu in 2024 | office = [[Prime Minister of Romania]] | status = | president = [[Klaus Iohannis]] | predecessor = [[Nicolae Ciucă]] | succeeding = | term_start = 15 June 2023 | term_end = | office2 = [[President of the Chamber of Deputies of Romania|President of the Chamber of Deputies]] | term_start2 = 23 November 2021 | term_end2 = 15 June 2023 | predecessor2 = [[Sorin Grindeanu]] (acting) | successor2 = [[Alfred Simonis]] (acting) | term_start3 = 27 May 2019 | term_end3 = 19 December 2020 | predecessor3 = [[Liviu Dragnea]] | successor3 = [[Ludovic Orban]] | office4 = Leader of the [[Social Democratic Party (Romania)|Social Democratic Party]] | term_start4 = 26 November 2019 | term_end4 = | predecessor4 = [[Viorica Dăncilă]] | office5 = [[Deputy Prime Minister of Romania]] | term_start5 = 29 June 2017 | term_end5 = 29 January 2018 | president5 = [[Klaus Iohannis]] | primeminister5 = {{ubl|[[Mihai Tudose]]|[[Mihai Fifor]] (acting)}} | predecessor5 = [[Augustin Jianu]] | successor5 = [[Viorel Ștefan]] | office6 = Member of the [[Chamber of Deputies (Romania)|Chamber of Deputies]] | term_start6 = 19 December 2012 | term_end6 = | constituency6 = [[Buzău County]] | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|11|28|df=y}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://actmedia.eu/daily/an-unofficial-biography-who-is-marcel-ciolacu-the-fourth-psd-premier-nominated-by-iohannis/103555|title=An unofficial biography: Who is Marcel Ciolacu, the fourth PSD premier nominated by Iohannis|website=actmedia.eu}}</ref> | birth_place = [[Buzău, Buzău County]], [[Socialist Republic of Romania]] | birth_name = Ion-Marcel Ciolacu | death_date = | death_place = | party = [[Social Democratic Party (Romania)|Social Democratic Party]] (PSD) | spouse = Roxana Ciolacu (div. 2023) | partner = Sorina Docuz (since 2021)<ref name="wowbiz.ro">{{cite web | url=https://www.wowbiz.ro/cum-arata-astazi-roxana-fosta-sotie-a-lui-marcel-ciolacu-cei-doi-au-fost-casatoriti-mai-bine-de-doua-decenii-20378681 | title=Cum arată astăzi Roxana, fosta soție a lui Marcel Ciolacu. Cei doi au fost căsătoriți mai bine de două decenii | date=23 January 2024 }}</ref> | children = 1 | alma_mater = [[Ecological University of Bucharest]] | successor = | deputy = [[Marian Neacșu]]<br />[[Cătălin Predoiu]] }} '''Ion-Marcel Ciolacu''' (born 28 November 1967) is a Romanian politician who currently serves as the [[Prime Minister of Romania]]. He has been the leader of the [[Social Democratic Party (Romania)|Social Democratic Party]] (PSD) since 2019. As a previously little-known politician outside of [[Buzău County]], where he owns a pastry shop and a consulting firm,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Afaceristul Ciolacu a dat lovitura în 2021: după ce, ani întregi, covrigăria sa nu a distribuit dividende, anul trecut familia liderului PSD a făcut bani buni |url=https://www.ziaruldeiasi.ro/stiri/afaceristul-ciolacu-a-dat-lovitura-in-2021-dupa-ce-ani-intregi-covrigaria-sa-nu-a-distribuit-dividende-anul-trecut-familia-liderului-psd-a-facut-bani-buni--325418.html |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=www.ziaruldeiasi.ro|date= 8 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Coltuc |first=Daniel |date=2022-07-20 |title=Câte gogoși a vândut Marcel Ciolacu în 2021. Ajuns mare în politică, șeful PSD nu a renunțat la micile sale afaceri de la Buzău |url=https://www.fanatik.ro/cate-gogosi-a-vandut-marcel-ciolacu-in-2021-ajuns-mare-in-politica-seful-psd-nu-a-renuntat-la-micile-sale-afaceri-de-la-buzau-20093687 |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Fanatik.ro |language=ro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-12 |title=Ciolacu - vânzător de cârnați; Stănescu - tractorist; Manda - vânzător de bilete. Deputatul Rădulescu-Mitralieră a izbucnit la adresa foștilor colegi: Uniți prin nulitate, incultură și analfabetism - stiripescurt.ro |url=https://stiripescurt.ro/ciolacu-vanzator-carnati-stanescu-tractorist-manda-vanzator-bilete-deputat-radulescu-mitraliera-a-izbucnit-13288/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=stiripescurt.ro |language=ro-RO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-08-15 |title=Ciolacu, multinaționalele și covrigăria |url=https://plusinfo.org/ciolacu-multinationalele-si-covrigaria/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=PlusInfo Romania |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-08-11 |title=Libertatea: Marcel Ciolacu deține o patiserie în Buzău, împreună cu soția, de unde anul trecut au încasat 100.000 de euro dividende |url=https://economedia.ro/libertatea-marcel-ciolacu-detine-o-patiserie-in-buzau-impreuna-cu-sotia-de-unde-anul-trecut-au-incasat-100-000-de-euro-dividende.html |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Economedia.ro |language=ro-RO}}</ref> Ciolacu came into national prominence when he became the deputy prime minister in 2018 in the cabinet of [[Prime Minister of Romania|Prime Minister]] [[Mihai Tudose]]. Allegedly, he was given this office in order to report Tudose's activities to [[Liviu Dragnea]], who had been unable to become prime minister himself and was wary of Tudose becoming a power player in the party.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 November 2019 |title=Cine e Marcel Ciolacu, omul care a mazilit-o pe Dăncilă |url=https://www.g4media.ro/cine-e-marcel-ciolacu-omul-care-vrea-sa-i-ia-locul-lui-dancila-la-sefia-psd.html |website=G4Media}}</ref> Ciolacu soon broke with Dragnea and became an ally of Tudose against Dragnea's leadership. After Tudose's resignation,<ref>{{Cite web |title=ULTIMA ORA Mihai Tudose si-a anuntat demisia din functia de premier – oficial |url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-22227198-surse-mihai-tudose-anuntat-demisia-din-functia-premier.htm |access-date=30 January 2023 |website=HotNewsRo|date=15 January 2018 }}</ref> Ciolacu was marginalized within PSD but still retained the leadership of PSD Buzău.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Ilie |first=Adrian |date=27 November 2019 |title=Cine este Marcel Ciolacu, noul președinte interimar al PSD. Care e cel mai controversat aspect al carierei sale |url=https://www.libertatea.ro/stiri/cine-este-marcel-ciolacu-biografie-2649524 |access-date=30 January 2023 |website=Libertatea |language=ro-RO}}</ref> Ciolacu once again returned to prominence in 2019 after Liviu Dragnea had been convicted on abuse of office and incitement to intellectual forgery charges, having to serve a 3 years, 6 months sentence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Welle (www.dw.com) |first=Deutsche |title=Liviu Dragnea, condamnat definitiv la trei ani și jumătate de închisoare {{!}} DW {{!}} 27 May 2019 |url=https://www.dw.com/ro/liviu-dragnea-condamnat-definitiv-la-trei-ani-și-jumătate-de-închisoare/a-48902009 |access-date=30 January 2023 |website=DW.COM |language=ro-RO}}</ref> With the Social Democrats still controlling a majority both in the Chamber and in the Senate, Ciolacu won the position of President of the Chamber of Deputies, with 172 votes for and 120 against,<ref name=":0" /> previously held by Dragnea himself. Following the overwhelming defeat of new PSD leader [[Viorica Dăncilă]] in the [[2019 Romanian presidential election]], on 26 November 2019, Ciolacu was named leader of the party, firstly ad-interim,<ref name=":1" /> until he was confirmed to hold the position by the party congress the next year on 22 August 2020 with an overwhelming 1310–91 margin against his opponent.<ref name=":2" /> Ciolacu led the party to victory in the [[2020 Romanian legislative election]] but was not able to form a majority coalition in the new legislative. Other parties opposed to the PSD formed a new coalition on 23 December with the new government, thus pushing Ciolacu's PSD into opposition. However, in 2021, following the [[2021 Romanian political crisis|political crisis]] that led to the collapse of the [[Cîțu Cabinet]], he managed to bring the PSD back to the government, forming [[Ciucă Cabinet|a cabinet]] with its former rival, the [[National Liberal Party (Romania)|National Liberal Party]], thus forming the [[National Coalition for Romania]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-25202694-alianta-psd-pnl-udmr-numi-coalitia-nationala-pentru-romania-contine-acordul-politic.htm|title = DOCUMENT Alianța PSD-PNL-UDMR se va numi Coaliția Națională pentru România / Ce conține acordul politic / Cum se schimbă ministerele la rotație: Justiția va reveni PSD, Finanțele, PNL – Politic – HotNews.ro|date = 24 November 2021}}</ref> His premiership was described by opposition figures as [[illiberal]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pantazi |first=Cristian |date=2023-11-14 |title=Ciolacu, noul Dragnea. PSD pregătește apocalipsa pentru mediul privat în 2025, cu complicitatea PNL |url=https://www.g4media.ro/ciolacu-noul-dragnea-psd-pregateste-apocalipsa-pentru-mediul-privat-in-2025-cu-complicitatea-pnl.html |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=G4Media.ro |language=ro-RO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Grădinaru |first=Magda |date=2023-08-11 |title=Cei doi mari câștigători ai protestelor din 10 august |url=https://spotmedia.ro/stiri/opinii-si-analize/dupa-10-august-au-fost-si-castigatori-cine-sunt-cei-doi |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=spotmedia.ro |language=ro-RO}}</ref> or [[authoritarian]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dacian Cioloş: Anunţul despre o alianţă a PSD şi PNL - începutul unui regim autoritar |url=https://www.agerpres.ro/politica/2024/02/20/dacian-ciolos-anuntul-despre-o-alianta-a-psd-si-pnl-inceputul-unui-regim-autoritar--1251835|work=Agerpres|date=2024-02-20 |access-date=2024-02-29|language=ro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-12-28 |title=Ciolacu face încă un pas mare spre un regim autoritar de tip Viktor Orban (Aktual24) |url=https://www.presshub.ro/ciolacu-face-inca-un-pas-mare-spre-un-regim-autoritar-de-tip-viktor-orban-presa-a-fost-deja-amutita-aktual24-302198/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=PRESShub |language=ro-RO}}</ref> being accused of limiting [[press freedom]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogozanu |first=Costi |date=2023-12-04 |title=Ciolacu calcă pe urmele lui Iohannis în relația cu presa: ignoră o investigație care îl vizează și îi cultivă pe cei care perie scamele puterii |url=https://www.libertatea.ro/opinii/ciolacu-calca-pe-urmele-lui-iohannis-in-relatia-cu-presa-ignora-o-investigatie-care-il-vizeaza-si-ii-cultiva-pe-cei-care-perie-scamele-puterii-4736737 |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=Libertatea |language=ro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Analiză: Cum și-au cumpărat Ciucă & Ciolacu liniștea|date=3 May 2023 |url=https://www.dw.com/ro/analiză-cum-și-au-cumpărat-ciucă-ciolacu-liniștea/a-65498117 |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=dw.com|first=Sabina|last=Fati |language=ro}}</ref> He was also accused of economic mismanagement; under Ciolacu, Romania reached the highest [[external debt]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cârlugea |first=Simona |date=2023-10-29 |title=Datoria publică a României, pe înțelesul tuturor |url=https://romania.europalibera.org/a/datoria-publica-a-romaniei-pe-intelesul-tuturor/32656708.html |access-date=2024-02-29 |work=Europa Liberă România |language=ro}}</ref> while [[inflation]] reached 7.3%, the highest in the [[European Union]] (where the average was 3.1%),<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-22 |title=România are cea mai mare rată a inflației din UE |url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/economie/digi-economic/romania-are-cea-mai-mare-rata-a-inflatiei-din-ue-2697109 |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=www.digi24.ro |language=ro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Inflation in Romania, double than the EU average |url=https://adevarul.ro/economie/inflatia-din-romania-dubla-fata-de-media-din-ue-2342073.html |work=Adevărul}}</ref> and the second-highest in all of Europe, only behind [[Turkey]] (as of February 2024). On 25 November 2024, Ciolacu announced his resignation as leader of the [[Social Democratic Party (Romania)|Social Democratic Party]]. However, he will remain the Prime Minister of Romania until the new government is formed.<ref name='resignation'>{{cite web|url=https://www.romania-insider.com/marcel-ciolacu-resigns-leader-psd-presidential-defeat-2024|title=Marcel Ciolacu resigns|access-date=2024-11-25|website=Romania Insider}}</ref> ==Early life and education== Marcel Ciolacu was born in Buzău as the son of Ion Ciolacu, a career military pilot of [[Aromanians in Romania|Aromanian]] ancestry.<ref>https://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/politic/ciuca-lasconi-si-geoana-ii-cer-demisia-premierului-marcel-ciolacu-in-scandalul-zborurilor-platite-de-nordis.html</ref> In 1995 he obtained a law degree from the Ecological University of Bucharest,<ref name=":0" /> which was authorized in May 1995. In 2008 he attended a program in Security and National Defence at the National College of Defence in Bucharest, a controversial university, regarded by some Romanian publications as a [[diploma mill]].{{Citation needed|reason=The text mentions 'some Romanian publications' but cites only one|date=March 2024}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=România a ajuns să fie condusă de analfabeți cu diplome: Marcel Ciolacu a terminat școala la 45 de ani |url=https://60m.ro/2022/11/22/romania-a-ajuns-sa-fie-condusa-de-analfabeti-cu-diplome-marcel-ciolacu-a-terminat-scoala-la-45-de-ani/ |access-date=5 February 2023 |website=60m.ro |language=ro-RO |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205011344/https://60m.ro/2022/11/22/romania-a-ajuns-sa-fie-condusa-de-analfabeti-cu-diplome-marcel-ciolacu-a-terminat-scoala-la-45-de-ani/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2012 he completed a master's programme in the Management of the Public Sector at the [[National University of Political Studies and Public Administration]].<ref name=":0" /> ==Political career== ===Early political activity=== Marcel Ciolacu participated in the [[1989 Romanian Revolution]] in Buzău,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/marcel-ciolacu-revolutionar-de-buzau-nu-mi-faceti-o-vina-ca-nu-am-murit-1232815|title=Marcel Ciolacu, revoluționar de Buzău: "Nu-mi faceți o vină că nu am murit la Revoluție!"|date=17 December 2019|website=www.digi24.ro|accessdate=15 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://romania.europalibera.org/a/dna-certificat-revolutionar-psd-ciolacu-clasare/32333036.html|title=Dosarul privind certificatul de revoluționar al președintelui PSD, Marcel Ciolacu, clasat|first=Dora|last=Vulcan|newspaper=Europa Liberă România |date=30 March 2023|accessdate=15 June 2023|via=romania.europalibera.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ziare.com/marcel-ciolacu-presedinte-psd/marcel-ciolacu-certificat-revolutionar-rol-determinant-clasare-dosar-dna-1795710|title=Trecutul revoluționar al lui Marcel Ciolacu a rămas "în coadă de pește". Ce s-a ales de certificatul de luptător cu rol determinant al actualului lider PSD|website=Ziare.com|accessdate=15 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://recorder.ro/eroul-ciolacu-liderul-psd-are-certificat-de-revolutionar-si-a-cerut-preschimbarea-pentru-a-avea-dreptul-la-indemnizatie/|title=Eroul Ciolacu. Liderul PSD are certificat de revoluționar și a cerut preschimbarea pentru a avea dreptul la indemnizație|first=Mihai|last=Voinea|date=16 December 2019|website=Recorder|accessdate=15 June 2023}}</ref> but a recent investigation by independent news organization ''Recorder'' has put these claims under scrutiny, having revealed a series of inconsistencies in his account and the lack of supporting evidence for his participation in the 1989 Romanian Revolution.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Simina |first=Anca |date= |title=Hero or Impostor? What we have found in Marcel Ciolacu's revolutionary file. |url=https://recorder.ro/erou-sau-impostor-ce-am-gasit-in-dosarul-de-revolutionar-al-lui-marcel-ciolacu/ |work=Recorder}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date= 14 December 2023|title=CAP la CAP- The Superhero Marcel Ciolacu |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcWtvays3mI |website=Youtube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ungureanu |first=Laurențiu |date= |title=Recorder Investigation: What has Ciolacu actually done at the Revolution? |url=https://www.libertatea.ro/stiri/investigatie-recorder-ce-a-facut-marcel-ciolacu-la-revolutie-documente-din-dosarul-de-revolutionar-al-actualului-premier-4748370?utm_source=ground.news&utm_medium=referral |work=Libertatea}}</ref> He became a member of the [[National Salvation Front (Romania)|National Salvation Front]] in 1990. During the early nineties, Ciolacu climbed the steps in local politics, and by 1996, had become the second-in-command of the Youth Organization of the party. Senator Ion Vasile became the godfather of his child. He remained little known, however, until the mid-2000s. In 2005, he was for several months the interim prefect of Buzau, after which he became, in turn, director of Urbis Serv and deputy mayor of Buzau (2008–2012),<ref name=":0" /> while Constantin Boșcodeală was mayor of Buzau (1996–2016). Boșcodeală was later convicted in 2015 for abuse of office during the period 2002–2008, by diverting public funds to a football team and other private companies of which he was a shareholder.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://justitiecurata.ro/tovarasii-de-vanatoare-ai-lui-omar-hayssam-deschid-listele-parlamentare-la-buzau/|title=Tovarășii de vânătoare ai lui Omar Hayssam deschid listele parlamentare la Buzău|website=justitiecurata.ro/|date=2016}}</ref> Ciolacu entered national politics in 2012, when he was first elected for a deputy seat in [[Parliament of Romania|Parliament]]. In 2015, he was elected PSD president for Buzău County, replacing Boșcodeală who stepped down while being investigated. Ciolacu's election was controversial. He ran against Senator Vasile Ion, who eventually withdrew from the race, accusing Ciolacu of rigging the internal elections.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://romania.europalibera.org/a/marcel-ciolacu-supravietuitorul-mentorilor-sai-de-la-ion-vasile-si-victor-ponta-la-liviu-dragnea/30293212.html|title=Marcel Ciolacu, supraviețuitorul tuturor patronilor săi politici, de la Ion Vasile și Victor Ponta, la Liviu Dragnea|newspaper=Europa Liberă România|date=26 November 2019|last1=Rădulescu |first1=Adelina }}</ref> Ciolacu was re-elected to Parliament in 2016. ===As Deputy Prime Minister=== In 2017, Ciolacu was named deputy prime minister in the cabinet led by [[Mihai Tudose]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lista miniştrilor din Guvernul Mihai Tudose, aprobată în CExN al PSD. Cine sunt noile nume din Executiv |url=https://www.mediafax.ro/politic/lista-ministrilor-din-guvernul-mihai-tudose-aprobata-in-cexn-al-psd-cine-sunt-noile-nume-din-executiv-16524381 |access-date=5 February 2023 |website=Mediafax.ro |language=ro}}</ref> Tudose's predecessor, [[Sorin Grindeanu]] was ousted<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/criza-guvern-psd/live-blog-zi-decisiva-pentru-guvernul-grindeanu-motiunea-de-cenzura-la-votul-parlamentului-746670|title=LIVE BLOG. Moțiunea de cenzură a trecut. Partidele şi preşedintele îşi ocupă poziţiile|website=www.digi24.ro}}</ref> from his position by a [[vote of no-confidence]] initiated by [[Social Democratic Party (Romania)|PSD]] itself, then under the leadership of [[Liviu Dragnea]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=LIVE UPDATE. 39 de organizații PSD susțin moțiunea de cenzură. Parlamentul, convocat duminică |url=https://www.libertatea.ro/stiri/ziua-deciziei-finale-psd-se-anunta-soarta-guvernului-grindeanu-1872438 |access-date=5 February 2023 |website=Libertatea |date=17 June 2017 |language=ro-RO}}</ref> Grindeanu's departure did not leave Dragnea's power unquestioned. Previously, the government had held a 295 majority, now it was reduced to a mere 241.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} For the first time, Dragnea was facing strong dissent in the party at the prospect that President [[Klaus Iohannis]] would not name another PSD member to become prime minister, electing instead to force early elections. Since the procedure of calling early elections laid down in the [[Constitution of Romania]] is complicated and difficult to trigger, and seeing PSD still had the necessary majority to form another government, the president decided to name Mihai Tudose, Dragnea's newest proposal as ,prime minister. Tudose was not, however, Dragnea's first choice and, the PSD leader needed to find ways to control him better than Grindeanu, who had shown him that the office of prime minister was strong enough to allow its holder to wrestle his power in the party away from him. For this reason, Ciolacu was named deputy prime minister in the Tudose Cabinet, in order to become Dragnea's ears in the government.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} Like Tudose himself and Grindeanu before him, however, Ciolacu did not stay loyal to Dragnea for long. By the autumn of 2017, Ciolacu had entered Tudose's grasp and was now fully loyal to the prime minister. The relationship between Tudose and Dragnea started deteriorating rapidly, as had been the case with Grindeanu, but the two maintained publicly that there was no strain between them. By then, Ciolacu was firmly in the Tudose camp. Tudose soon declared publicly that there was only one person whom he would not tolerate being removed from his cabinet: Ciolacu. In January 2018, Tudose attempted to take full control of his government by asking the resignation of his Interior Minister, [[Carmen Dan]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/mihai-tudose-nu-mai-am-cum-sa-lucrez-cu-carmen-dan-857928|title=Premierul: Un ministru de interne care îşi permite să mă mintă în halul ăsta, nu mai am ce lucra cu domnia sa|website=www.digi24.ro|date=10 January 2018 }}</ref> a Dragnea mouthpiece and loyal lieutenant. As it became quite apparent that this was another power struggle between the prime minister and the leader of the PSD, Ciolacu publicly positioned himself in the Tudose camp. Dragnea once again convened a special party meeting in order to force Tudose's resignation. Seeing that a majority of the party remained loyal to Dragnea, Tudose decided to resign<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/zi-decisiva-in-psd-va-fi-transat-conflictul-dintre-liviu-dragnea-si-mihai-tudose-860186|title=Mihai Tudose a rămas fără sprijinul PSD şi a demisionat|website=www.digi24.ro|date=6 February 2018 }}</ref> to evade a motion of no confidence like his predecessor. Ciolacu handed in his own resignation from the government shortly thereafter. ===First election to the Chamber presidency=== After leaving the Executive, Ciolacu returned to his deputy seat in Parliament. Throughout 2018 and the first half of 2019, he stayed out of the spotlight while persisting in the opposition<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/liderul-psd-buzau-liviu-dragnea-a-ajuns-un-om-orbit-de-putere-orgolii-si-spaime-imaginare-999392|title=Liderul PSD Buzău: "Liviu Dragnea a ajuns un om orbit de putere, orgolii și spaime imaginare"|website=www.digi24.ro|date=19 September 2018 }}</ref> against Dragnea's leadership. In October 2018, the press reported an alleged physical altercation<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/informatii-digi24-liviu-dragnea-si-marcel-ciolacu-s-au-certat-in-fata-deputatilor-1024070|title=Liviu Dragnea și Marcel Ciolacu s-au certat în Parlament: "Bagi și scoți deputați"|website=www.digi24.ro|date=31 October 2018 }}</ref> in Parliament between Ciolacu and Dragnea, but both denied the claim.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/deputatul-psd-marcel-ciolacu-neaga-ca-ar-fi-avut-o-altercatie-cu-liviu-dragnea-1024180|title=Deputatul PSD Marcel Ciolacu neagă că ar fi avut o altercaţie cu Liviu Dragnea|website=www.digi24.ro|date=31 October 2018 }}</ref> On 27 May 2019, Liviu Dragnea was convicted of abuse of power and sentenced to three years and six months in prison. This vacated his position as President of the Chamber of Deputies and his leadership position in the party. Ciolacu emerged once more in the public eye, seeking a path to top party leadership. The party's new leader, [[Viorica Dăncilă]], the third prime minister named by Dragnea, was now looking for ways to cement her leadership of the party. For this, she sought the support of Ciolacu and other former opponents of Dragnea. Ciolacu accepted her offer to sponsor him as president of the Chamber of Deputies, succeeding Dragnea himself. On 29 May 2019, Ciolacu was voted the new head of the Chamber.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/marcel-ciolacu-este-nou-presedinte-al-camerei-deputatilor-1139600|title=Marcel Ciolacu este noul președinte al Camerei Deputaților|website=www.digi24.ro|date=29 May 2019 }}</ref> However, his election was won only narrowly and with the support of the PSD-breakaway party, [[PRO Romania]], and its member, former Prime Minister [[Mihai Tudose]]. ===As leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD)=== [[File:Marcel Ciolacu (2021).jpg|thumb|Ciolacu during a press conference in November 2021]] As leader of the Lower Chamber, Ciolacu kept a reserved and non-vocal stance. In October 2019, a motion of no confidence was initiated by the [[National Liberal Party (Romania)|PNL]]-led opposition that successfully removed Dăncilă from power, even though Ciolacu maintained that the [[Dăncilă Cabinet]] would not fall. He supported Viorica Dăncilă's bid to the presidency of Romania but after her defeat and her historically weak result, Ciolacu went on to take control of the party. On 25 November 2019, one day after the presidential election, Marcel Ciolacu personally visited Dăncilă at her home, event at which has been speculated in the Press Marcel Ciolacu asked her to resign from the party's leadership, offering her an MP seat in the next [[Next Romanian legislative election|legislative election]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/surse-baronii-psd-incearca-sa-o-convinga-pe-viorica-dancila-sa-demisioneze-maine-in-locul-ei-conducere-colectiva-1222214|title=Surse: Baronii PSD încearcă să o convingă pe Viorica Dăncilă să demisioneze mâine. În locul ei – conducere colectivă|website=www.digi24.ro|date=25 November 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ce a anunțat Marcel Ciolacu după discuția cu Viorica Dăncilă |url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/ce-a-anuntat-marcel-ciolacu-dupa-discuatia-cu-viorica-dancila-1222307 |access-date=1 February 2023 |website=www.digi24.ro |date=25 November 2019 |language=ro}}</ref> but which has been denied by Ciolacu, [[Paul Stănescu]] and Dăncilă herself.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |title=Breaking News. Viorica Dăncilă a demisionat de la conducerea PSD. Marcel Ciolacu, președinte interimar |url=https://romania.europalibera.org/a/război-putere-în-psd-gruparea-ciolacu-împotriva-grupării-dăncilă/30293329.html |access-date=1 February 2023 |website=Europa Liberă România |date=26 November 2019 |language=ro |last1=Andrei |first1=Cristian }}</ref> On 26 November, after a six hour long meeting of the Executive Committee of PSD,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dăncilă i-a predat lui Ciolacu şi partidul, şi ştafeta greşelilor gramaticale |url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/dancila-i-a-predat-lui-ciolacu-si-partidul-si-stafeta-greselilor-gramaticale-1223264 |access-date=1 February 2023 |website=www.digi24.ro |date=27 November 2019 |language=ro}}</ref> [[Viorica Dăncilă]] resigns as Party Leader, with Marcel Ciolacu acting as Leader and [[Paul Stănescu]] as General Secretary following this.<ref name=":1" /> [[File:231204-D-PM193-1130.jpg|thumb|Marcel Ciolacu with US Defense Secretary [[Lloyd Austin]]]] Ciolacu was expected to run for a full term as leader of PSD at its Congress on 29 February 2020, but the Congress was postponed to 21 March due to the emergence of [[COVID-19 pandemic in Romania]]. In early March, they announced plans to move the Congress online in light of the epidemic-related ban of gatherings of more than 1000 people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.romania-insider.com/psd-online-congress-coronavirus|title=POLITICS Romania's Social Democrats to move Congress online amid coronavirus restrictions|website=www.romania-insider.com|date=9 March 2020}}</ref> Ultimately, the Congress took place on 22 August 2020 and resulted in Ciolacu's election as leader of PSD, defeating Eugen Teodorovici on an overwhelming 1310–91 margin.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-24245224-marcel-ciolacu-ales-presedinte-psd-eugen-teodorovici-obtinut-doar-91-voturi.htm|title=Marcel Ciolacu, ales președinte al PSD / Eugen Teodorovici a obținut doar 91 de voturi|website=HotNews.ro|date=22 August 2020}}</ref> ===Prime Minister of Romania (2023–present)=== [[File:Marcel Ciolacu - 18.06.2022, Ședința comună a Parlamentelor Republicii Moldova și României.jpg|thumb|Ciolacu as President of the Chamber of Deputies at the joint session of the parliaments of Moldova and Romania, June 2022]] Marcel Ciolacu assumed the office of Prime Minister of Romania on 15 June, in accordance with an informal rotational government agreement with the [[National Liberal Party (Romania)|National Liberal Party]] in 2023.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-06-15/romania-s-ciolacu-becomes-prime-minister-after-securing-majority|title=Romania's Ciolacu Becomes Prime Minister After Securing Majority|date=15 June 2023|accessdate=15 June 2023|newspaper=Bloomberg}}</ref> On 2 September 2024 the [[Ciolacu cabinet]] approved a legislative proposal to transfer one of Romania’s air defense systems to [[Ukraine]] following a series of aerial attacks by Russian forces. ===2024 presidential campaign=== Ciolacu ran for [[president of Romania]] in the [[2024 Romanian presidential election]] but failed to advance to the runoff after placing third in the first round of voting on 24 November with 19.15% of the vote. He was criticised for his usage of private jets during his campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20241125-far-right-candidate-takes-first-round-pm-out-shock-romania-presidential-poll-calin-georgescu |title=Far-right candidate takes first round, PM out, in shock Romania presidential poll |date=25 November 2024 |access-date=25 November 2024 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref> After failing to advance to the runoff, he announced his resignation as leader of the Social Democratic Party. However, he will remain the Prime Minister until a new majority government is formed.<ref name='resignation' /> ==Controversies== ===Mecan Construct investigation=== In 2009, the Court of Accounts Buzau found that a construction company in the municipality of Buzau, Urbis Serv, headed by Marcel Ciolacu between 2007 and 2008, caused an approximately €1.3 million overcharge for street and sidewalk construction projects through an illegal contract with a company owned by a party colleague. The company, Mecan Construct, was owned by former PSD County Councilor Dumitru Dobrică. Ciolacu was accused of [[conflict of interest]] causing damages to the municipality by inflating the Mecan contract by approximately 1.3 million euros.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gandul.info/stiri/familia-psd-de-la-buzau-amintiri-din-tineretea-unui-consilier-onorific-al-lui-ponta-vanatoare-cu-omar-hayssam-contract-umflat-cu-1-3-milioane-euro-pentru-un-coleg-de-partid-14232481 |title=Familia PSD de la Buzău. Amintiri din tinerețea unui consilier onorific al lui Ponta: vânătoare cu Omar Hayssam, contract umflat cu 1,3 milioane euro pentru un coleg de partid |work=Gândul |author=Andrei Luca Popescu |date=12 May 2015}}</ref> Marcel Ciolacu stated that the ruling of the Buzău Court of Accounts was challenged in court. He stated that a criminal investigation file at the [[National Anticorruption Directorate]] Ploiești, in which the allegations regarding the contract with Mecan Construct were investigated, concluded without starting criminal proceedings against him.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-21844409-cine-este-marcel-ciolacu-propus-vicepremier-fara-portofoliul-vaslasul-lui-dragnea-scandalul-pozelor-teroristul-hayssam.htm |title=Cine este Marcel Ciolacu, propus vicepremier fără portofoliu. Vâslașul lui Dragnea și scandalul pozelor cu teroristul Hayssam |work=HotNews.ro |date=28 June 2017}}</ref> ===Relationship with Omar Hayssam=== Marcel Ciolacu was involved in a media scandal in May 2015 after a 20-year-old photograph of him with [[Omar Hayssam]] appeared in the press. In approximately 2005, Ciolacu and Hayssam had been attending a hunting party organized by the Buzau Forestry Directorate. In 2006, Omar Hayssam masterminded the kidnapping and holding for ransom of three Romanian journalists in Iraq, for which Hayssam was convicted in 2007 by the Bucharest Court of Appeal to 24 years, four months imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ziare.com/marcel-ciolacu/presedinte-camera-deputatilor/cine-e-inlocuitorul-lui-dragnea-la-sefia-camerei-deputatilor-marcel-ciolacu-si-scandalul-hayssam-1563490 |title=Cine e înlocuitorul lui Dragnea la șefia Camerei Deputaților: Marcel Ciolacu și scandalul Hayssam |work=Ziare.com |date=29 May 2019}}</ref> In addition, there was evidence that Ciolacu appeared on a list of Hayssam's debtors: In the early 2000s, Hayssam appears to have loaned Ciolacu 200 million old lei (20,000 RON).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-23173000-cine-marcel-ciolacu-noul-presedinte-camerei-deputatilor-vanatoarea-hayssam-partidele-pescuit-dragnea-tabara-pucistilor.htm |title=Cine e Marcel Ciolacu, noul președinte al Camerei Deputaților: De la vânătoarea cu Hayssam și partidele de pescuit cu Dragnea, în tabăra puciștilor |work=HotNews.ro |date=29 May 2019}}</ref> As a result of the scandal, Prime Minister [[Victor Ponta]] removed Ciolacu from the position of honorary adviser to the prime minister. == Political positions == A self-proclaimed supporter of [[economic patriotism]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mediafax.ro/politic/ciolacu-despre-patriotismul-economic-adica-sa-producem-si-sa-consumam-cat-mai-mult-romaneste-21927236|title=Ciolacu, despre patriotismul economic: Adică să producem şi să consumăm cât mai mult româneşte|website=Mediafax.ro|accessdate=15 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.profit.ro/stiri/politic/marcel-ciolacu-spune-ca-va-dezvolta-economia-prin-patriotism-economic-cand-ajunge-la-guvern-21218327|title=Marcel Ciolacu spune că va dezvolta economia prin "patriotism economic" când ajunge la guvern|website=Profit.ro|accessdate=15 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-26311514-ciolacu-spune-viziunea-psd-privind-guvernarea-refera-dezvoltare-prin-patriotism-economic.htm|title=Ciolacu spune că viziunea PSD privind guvernarea se referă la "dezvoltare prin patriotism economic"|website=www.hotnews.ro|date=4 June 2023 |accessdate=15 June 2023}}</ref> Ciolacu has been described as adhering to the ideology of [[left-wing nationalism]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 March 2020 |title=Marcel Ciolacu apără o linie naționalistă a PSD: Există dublu standard / Naționalismul nu este un lucru rău – Politic – HotNews.ro |url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-23701215-marcel-ciolacu-nationalism-psd-dublu-standard.htm}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 March 2020 |title=Marcel Ciolacu dă semnalul întoarcerii la mesajul naționalist promovat de Liviu Dragnea: Rețeta de pastă de dinți din România este total diferită de cea din Europa. Roșiile au alt gust/ România are nevoie de naționalism |url=https://www.g4media.ro/marcel-ciolacu-da-semnalul-intoarcerii-la-mesajul-nationalist-promovat-de-liviu-dragnea-reteta-de-pasta-de-dinti-din-romania-este-total-diferita-de-cea-din-europa-rosiile-au-alt-gust-romania-are-ne.html}}</ref> and [[social conservatism]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 March 2021 |title=VIDEO INTERVIU Marcel Ciolacu: Nu sunt de acord cu căsătoria între persoane de același sex, nici cu parteneriatul civil / Cum explică votul europarlamentarilor PSD pentru rezoluția "Europa, zonă de libertate pentru persoanele LGBT" |url=https://www.g4media.ro/video-interviu-marcel-ciolacu-nu-sunt-de-acord-cu-casatoria-intre-persoane-de-acelasi-sex-nici-cu-parteneriatul-civil-cum-explica-votul-europarlamentarilor-psd-pentru-rezolutia-europa-zo.html}}</ref> He opposes [[same-sex marriage in Romania|same-sex marriage]], [[civil partnership]]s<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-11-23 |title=Marcel Ciolacu, despre decizia CEDO referitoare la parteneriatul civil: Nu este pregătită societatea românească - Europa FM |url=https://www.g4media.ro/marcel-ciolacu-despre-decizia-cedo-referitoare-la-parteneriatul-civil-nu-este-pregatita-societatea-romaneasca-europa-fm.html |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=G4Media.ro |language=ro-RO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-23 |title=Ciolacu, despre decizia CEDO referitoare la parteneriatul civil între persoane de acelaşi sex: Societatea românească încă nu e pregătită. Nu este nici prima, nici ultima care condamnă |url=https://www.news.ro/social/ciolacu-despre-decizia-cedo-referitoare-la-parteneriatul-civil-intre-persoane-de-acelasi-sex-societatea-romaneasca-inca-nu-e-pregatita-nu-este-nici-prima-nici-ultima-care-condamna-1922400623002023111921396670 |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=News.ro |language=ro}}</ref> and [[social progressivism]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://infocrestin.com/marcel-ciolacu-nu-este-progresist-nu-sunt-de-acord-cu-casatoriile-intre-persoane-de-acelasi-sex-nici-cu-parteneriatele-civile/|title=Marcel Ciolacu nu este "progresist": Nu sunt de acord cu căsătoriile între persoane de același sex, nici cu parteneriatele civile – Stiri Crestine &#124; Info Crestin &#124; Actualitate Crestina Online|website=infocrestin.com|accessdate=15 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news.ro/politic-intern/ciolacu-despre-religia-ca-materie-optionala-la-bacalaureat-religia-aduce-cunoastere-nu-aduce-supunere-cu-cat-vom-incerca-sa-impunem-progresismul-atunci-de-fapt-vom-incuraja-populismul-si-extremismul-1922405417002023031621062424|title=Ciolacu, despre Religia ca materie opţională la Bacalaureat: Religia aduce cunoaştere, nu aduce supunere. Cu cât vom încerca să impunem progresismul, atunci de fapt vom încuraja populismul şi extremismul|date=17 March 2023|website=News.ro}}</ref> He supports [[left-wing economics|left-wing economic policies]] and [[right-wing politics|right-wing social policies]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.aktual24.ro/ciolacu-singurul-lider-socialist-din-lume-cu-discurs-de-dreapta-religia-aduce-cunoastere-religia-nu-aduce-supunere-ce-spune-doctrina-socialista-despre-religie-si-stat/amp/ | title=Ciolacu, singurul lider socialist din lume cu discurs de dreapta: "Religia aduce cunoastere, religia nu aduce supunere". Ce spune doctrina socialista despre religie si stat | date=17 March 2023 }}</ref> == Personal life == Marcel Ciolacu married his wife, Roxana, a chemical engineer, in the 1990s, They have one son, Filip,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cine este Roxana, soția lui Marcel Ciolacu. Filip, fiul celor doi, se va căsători în această vară |url=https://spynews.ro/monden/showbiz-intern/cine-este-roxana-sotia-lui-marcel-ciolacu-filip-fiul-celor-doi-se-va-casatori-in-aceasta-vara-309699.html |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=SPYNEWS.RO |language=RO}}</ref> .<ref name="Archived copy">{{Cite web |url=https://gazetarii.ro/marcel-ciolacu-si-a-abandonat-sotia-cine-este-amanta-premierului-romaniei/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=9 December 2023 |archive-date=9 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209192013/https://gazetarii.ro/marcel-ciolacu-si-a-abandonat-sotia-cine-este-amanta-premierului-romaniei/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gurău |first=Valentina |date=2024-01-23 |title=Cum arată astăzi Roxana, fosta soție a lui Marcel Ciolacu. Cei doi au fost căsătoriți mai bine de două decenii |url=https://www.wowbiz.ro/cum-arata-astazi-roxana-fosta-sotie-a-lui-marcel-ciolacu-cei-doi-au-fost-casatoriti-mai-bine-de-doua-decenii-20378681 |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=WOWBiz |language=ro}}</ref> His partner since then has been Sorina Docuz, with whom he is rumoured to have a relationship since 2021,<ref name="wowbiz.ro">{{cite web | url=https://www.wowbiz.ro/cum-arata-astazi-roxana-fosta-sotie-a-lui-marcel-ciolacu-cei-doi-au-fost-casatoriti-mai-bine-de-doua-decenii-20378681 | title=Cum arată astăzi Roxana, fosta soție a lui Marcel Ciolacu. Cei doi au fost căsătoriți mai bine de două decenii | date=23 January 2024 }}</ref> former Miss Buzău and former wife of politician [[Robert Negoiță]].<ref name="Archived copy"/> Since the beginning of the relationship between Ciolacu and Docuz, the latter's sister, Elena Arghir, became a member of the Council of Administration of the Romanian Lottery, at the request of the PSD.<ref name="Archived copy"/> Former PSD Finance Minister [[Eugen Teodorovici]] declared for the Romanian press in February 2024 that Docuz and Ciolacu have a child.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-02-17 |title=Teodorovici a anunțat că Ciolacu e proaspăt tătic. Alexa spune că amanta premierului e Sorina Docuz |url=https://www.curentul.info/dezvaluiri/teodorovici-a-anuntat-ca-ciolacu-e-proaspat-tatic-alexa-spune-ca-amanta-premierului-e-sorina-docuz/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=Ziarul Curentul |language=ro-RO}}</ref> PSD denied this.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-17 |title=Eugen Teodorovici: Marcel Ciolacu e din nou proaspăt tătic. Reacția PSD |url=https://actualitate.net/a/eugen-teodorovici-marcel-ciolacu-e-din-nou-proaspat-tatic |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=actualitate.net |language=ro}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} {{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=[[Liviu Dragnea]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[President of the Chamber of Deputies of Romania|President of the Chamber of Deputies]]|years=2019–2020}} {{s-aft|after=[[Ludovic Orban]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Sorin Grindeanu]]<br />{{Small|Acting}}}} {{s-ttl|title=[[President of the Chamber of Deputies of Romania|President of the Chamber of Deputies]]|years=2021–2023}} {{s-aft|after=[[Alfred-Robert Simonis]]<br />{{Small|Acting}}}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Cătălin Predoiu]]<br />{{Small|Acting}}}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Prime Minister of Romania]]|years=2023–present}} {{s-inc}} |- {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=[[Viorica Dăncilă]]}} {{s-ttl|title=President of the [[Social Democratic Party (Romania)|Social Democratic Party]]|years=2019–present}} {{s-inc}} {{s-end}} {{Prime ministers of Romania}} {{President Chamber of Deputies Romania}} {{PSDHeads}} {{authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ciolacu, Marcel}} [[Category:1967 births]] [[Category:People from Buzău]] [[Category:Romanian anti-same-sex-marriage activists]] [[Category:Conservatism in Romania]] [[Category:Councillors in Romania]] [[Category:Deputy prime ministers of Romania]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Presidents of the Chamber of Deputies (Romania)]] [[Category:Members of the Chamber of Deputies (Romania)]] [[Category:Members of the Romanian Orthodox Church]] [[Category:Prefects of Romania]] [[Category:Presidents of the Social Democratic Party (Romania)]] [[Category:Social Democratic Party (Romania) politicians]] [[Category:People of the Romanian revolution]] [[Category:Prime ministers of Romania]]'