Marcel Ciolacu, candidate of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) in the Romanian presidential elections, resigns from the party leadership. In statements to the press, Marcel Ciolacu said that PSD recognizes the election results and will not contest them, IPN reports.

Marcel Ciolacu said that he sent his resignation to the party's secretary general last night and that a National Political Council has been convened for today. The politician added that he will stand by his PSD colleagues until Sunday's runoff elections.

"PSD will not contest, even if the difference is very small. The rules of democracy and the importance of this runoff is much greater than our personal interests", Marcel Ciolacu added.

Marcel Ciolacu said that elections will be held within the PSD party in the coming period, in which he will not run for any office, and that he will support "a colleague" in the PSD leadership.

The results of the Romanian presidential elections, after the votes have been counted in all precincts, put Calin Georgescu in first place with 22.94% of the votes, followed by Elena Lasconi with 19.18% of the votes - candidates who will duel for the presidency in the second round. Marcel Ciolacu came third in the race with 19.15%.