Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced Monday his resignation, ending his mandate before the presidential elections scheduled for May, and assured that his departure avoids a crisis because the Parliament was about to initiate an impeachment process.

One Romanian political analyst says President Klaus Iohannis' decision to resign means "the populists can say they won."

BUCHAREST, Romania -- After over a decade in office, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis stepped down on Wednesday and has been replaced by the senate president who will serve in an interim capacity until a new presidential election is held in spring.

Supporters of a far-right candidate rejoiced over the president's resignation after the first round of voting was annulled last year. A new vote is now scheduled for May.

Centrist Liberal Party leader Ilie Bolojan became Romania's interim president on Wednesday, facing the uphill challenge of steering the country through a repeat presidential election in May with the far right on the rise.