Iohannis’ decision comes amid mounting pressure from populist opposition groups, two months after a top court annulled the country’s presidential election.

After over 10 years in office, Klaus Iohannis resigned as Romania's head of state on Wednesday. DW looks back at the presidency of the man once hailed as the hero of reform and renewal in Romania.

Romania's President Klaus Iohannis has resigned following pressure for him to step down ahead of a re-run of a presidential election that was controversially cancelled last year. The December vote was voided by Romania's top court after allegations of Russian state meddling.

Klaus Iohannis is leaving Cotroceni today. Definitively, following his resignation, after having served two full terms as president of the country, plus an almost two-month extension granted by the Constitutional Court.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced his resignation due to pressure from opposition groups after a court annulled a presidential election. His term was extended in December after a runoff was canceled.

His exit comes as political opponents had sought to remove him over remaining in office beyond the end of his term.

Romania’s outgoing president resigned in an effort to defuse political tension after a high court decision to annul a shock election result last year extended his tenure in office.