The President of the Senate, leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL), Crin Antonescu, takes over the office of interim President of Romania.
Crin Antonescu, 52, has been a PNL member since 1990. He was Minister of Youth and Sports between December 1997 and April 1998 in Victor Ciorbea Government and held the same position in Radu Vasile Government between April 17, 1998 and December 22, 1999.
On October 16, 2009, Crin Antonescu officially applied to the position of president from the National Liberal Party. According to the final results of the presidential elections, Crin Antonescu got 20.02 percent of the votes in the first round. He was not able to advance to the second round being surpassed by his opponents Traian Basescu (32.44 percent) and Mircea Geoana (31.15 percent).
On July 07, 2012, the Parliament voted to suspend President Traian Basescu, 256 to 114. A referendum will be held on July the 29th. Crin Antonescu will be acting president until the referendum. If the voters agree with a majority of 50 percent + 1 vote to suspend Traian Băsescu, Crin Antonescu will serve as interim head of state until a new president will be elected.