Klaus Iohannis

Born in the old city centre of Sibiu to a Transylvanian Saxon family, Klaus Iohannis is the eldest child of Gustav Heinz and Susanne Johannis. He has a younger sister, Krista Johannis (born 1964).{{cite web|url=http://adevarul.ro/locale/sibiu/exclusiv-klaus-iohannis-secretele-neamtului-vrea-presedintele-romaniei-1_542239690d133766a861b4fd/index.html|title=Klaus Iohannis. Secretele neamțului care vrea să fie președintele României|trans-title=EXCLUSIVE Klaus Johannis. Secrets [of the] German who wants to be president of Romania|work=Adevărul|author=Ramona Găină|date=24 September 2014|language=ro|access-date=1 October 2014|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006101042/http://adevarul.ro/locale/sibiu/exclusiv-klaus-iohannis-secretele-neamtului-vrea-presedintele-romaniei-1_542239690d133766a861b4fd/index.html}} His father worked as a technician at a state-owned company, while his mother was a nurse.{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-18600877-klaus-iohannis-portret-inedit-cat-poarta-pantofi.htm|title=Klaus Iohannis – un portret inedit. De la CV, la cât poartă la pantofi|work=HotNews.ro|author=Raluca Pantazi|date=18 November 2014|language=ro}} Both his parents as well as his sister emigrated from their native Sibiu/Hermannstadt to Würzburg, Bavaria in Germany in 1992, acquiring citizenship there under the right of return granted by the German nationality law,"Die Lokomotive von Hermannstadt" ('The Locomotive of Hermannstadt'), interview with Gustav Heinz Johannis, in Monatsgruß (monthly magazine of the Evangelical-Lutheran dean of Würzburg), October 2007, p. 5.{{cite news|work=The New York Times|date=5 December 2009|access-date=24 November 2014|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/world/europe/06romania.html|title=Grim Romanians Brighten Over a German Connection|author=Nicholas Kulish|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006175454/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/world/europe/06romania.html?_r=1}} as most other Transylvanian Saxons after the fall of the Iron Curtain. However, he chose to live and work in Romania.{{cite web|title=Klaus Iohannis explică DE CE NU a emigrat în Germania|url=http://www.romaniatv.net/klaus-iohannis-explica-de-ce-nu-a-emigrat-in-germania_184888.html|archive-date=30 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141130220922/http://www.romaniatv.net/klaus-iohannis-explica-de-ce-nu-a-emigrat-in-germania_184888.html|publisher=RTV.net|date=19 November 2014|language=ro}}

After graduating from the Faculty of Physics of the Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB) in Cluj-Napoca in 1983, Iohannis worked as a high school physics teacher at various schools and colleges in his native Sibiu, including, from 1989 to 1997, at the Samuel von Brukenthal National College, the oldest German-speaking school in Romania. From 1997 to 1999, he was Deputy General School Inspector of Sibiu County, and from 1999 until his election as mayor in 2000, he was the General School Inspector, head of public schools in the county.

He joined the Democratic Forum of Germans in Romania (FDGR/DFDR) in 1990, and served as a member of its board of education in Transylvania from 1997, and a member of the local party board in Sibiu from 1998. In 2001, he was elected President of the Democratic Forum of Germans in Romania (FDGR/DFDR), succeeding former president Eberhard Wolfgang Wittstock.

File:Klausjohannis2005.jpg

In 2000, the Democratic Forum of Germans in Romania in Sibiu (FDGS), the local chapter of the Democratic Forum of Germans (FDGR/DFDR), decided to back him as a candidate for mayor. While initially not wanting anything else than to represent the forum through a local candidate and to obtain a certain degree of local political visibility at that time, the leadership of FDGR/DFDR was surprised for his subsequent victory.

Despite the fact that Sibiu's German minority (represented, more specifically, by Transylvanian Saxons) had shrunken to a mere 1.6%, Iohannis was elected with 69.18% of the votes and has won three re-elections in a row, getting some of the largest electoral scores in the country: 88.69% of the vote in 2004,{{cite web|url=http://alegeri.roaep.ro/?alegeri=alegeri-locale-2004|title=Autoritatea Electorală Permanentă|website=alegeri.roaep.ro}} and 83.26% in 2008.{{cite web|url=http://alegeri.roaep.ro/?alegeri=locale-2008|title=Autoritatea Electorală Permanentă|website=alegeri.roaep.ro}} Consequently, he became the third ethnic German mayor of a Romanian city since Albert Dörr{{cite web|url=http://www.razvanpop.ro/2010/08/18/albert-dorr-10-mari-sibieni/|title=ALBERT DORR – 10 MARI SIBIENI|author=Răzvan Pop|work=Răzvan Pop – Blog de sibian|date=18 August 2010|accessdate=30 November 2022}} and Hans Jung (who briefly served in 1941 in Timișoara), the former who had also served in Sibiu from 1906/07 to 1918 (the first was Otto Helmut Mayerhoffer, who served as elected mayor of the town of Roman in Neamț County, between 1992 and 1996).{{cite book|language=de|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WBBi_Eg2TKcC&dq=b%C3%BCrgermeister+hermannstadt+1908&pg=PA11|title=Schriftsteller-Lexikon der Siebenbürger Deutschen: D – G|author=Dörr, Albert|author2=Hermann A. Hienz|page=11|publisher=Böhlau Verlag|date=1998|isbn=9783412096977|accessdate=30 November 2022}}

Throughout his tenure as mayor, he has worked to restore the town's infrastructure and to tighten the local administration. Iohannis is also widely credited with turning his hometown into one of Romania's most popular tourist destinations thanks to the extensive renovation of the old downtown.{{cite news|newspaper=The Himalayan Times |date=14 October 2009 |url=http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Romanian+prez+proposes+unity+govt&NewsID=39393 |title=Romanian prez proposes unity govt |access-date=15 October 2009 |archive-date=21 October 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021094213/http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Romanian%2Bprez%2Bproposes%2Bunity%2Bgovt&NewsID=39393 }} During his first term, Iohannis worked with a town council which was formed by PDSR/PSD, FDGR/DFDR, PD, CDR, and PRM.{{cite web|url=http://alegeri.roaep.ro/?alegeri=alegeri-locale-2000|title=Alegeri locale 2000: Voturi pe localitatea Municipiul Sibiu|work=Rezultate alegeri locale|author=Autoritatea Electorală Permanentă|language=ro}} Since 2004, during his second and third terms, his own party, FDGR/DFDR, had the majority. Between 2008 and 2012, FDGR/DFDR had 14 out of 23 councillors, PDL 4, PSD 3, and PNL only 2.{{in lang|ro}} [http://www.sibiu.ro/ro2/componenta.htm Sibiu City Council composition] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210042953/http://www.sibiu.ro/ro2/componenta.htm |date=10 February 2010}} at Sibiu's Local Administration's webpage. Retrieved 16 October 2009

Iohannis established contacts with foreign officials and investors. Sibiu was declared the European Capital of Culture of 2007, along with Luxembourg (the bearer of the distinction in 1995).{{cite news|author=European Parliament|date=25 January 2007 |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+IM-PRESS+20070125STO02408+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN |title=Luxembourg and Sibiu: 2007 European Capitals of Culture|access-date=13 March 2019}} Luxembourg chose to share this honourable status with Sibiu due to the fact that many of the Transylvanian Saxons emigrated in the 12th century to Transylvania from the area where Luxembourg is today.{{cite web |url=http://www.sibiu2007.ro/en3/prezentare.htm |title=Sibiu: European Capital of Culture 2007 |access-date=15 October 2009 |archive-date=8 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008131310/http://www.sibiu2007.ro/en3/prezentare.htm }} Sibiu which was mainly built by the Transylvanian Saxons as early as the Middle Ages, was for many centuries the cultural centre of the German ethnic group in Transylvania, and was a predominantly German-speaking town until the mid 20th century. Subsequently, many Germans left the town after World War II, and especially in 1990, within months of the fall of the Iron Curtain.

On 7 November 2005, Iohannis was nominated as the "Personality of the Year for a European Romania" ({{langx|ro|Personalitatea anului pentru o Românie europeană}}) by the Eurolink – House of Europe organisation.{{cite web |url=http://www.amosnews.ro/arhiva/klaus-johannis-nominalizat-sectiunea-personalitatea-anului-pentru-o-romanie-europeana-07-11-2005 |title=Klaus Johannis, nominalizat la secțiunea "Personalitatea anului pentru o Românie europeană"|work=Amos News|date=7 November 2005|language=ro}}

On 14 October 2009, the leaders of the opposition parliamentary groups (the National Liberal Party (PNL), the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UMR), the Conservative Party (PC) led by Dan Voiculescu, and the group of smaller ethnic minorities), proposed Iohannis as a candidate for the post of Prime Minister, after the government of PM Emil Boc fell a day before as a result of a motion of no confidence in the Parliament. Coming from outside the national-level politics of Romania, Iohannis had an image of an independent politician,{{cite news|url=http://english.hotnews.ro/stiri-politics-6282459-democratic-liberals-submit-their-own-nomination-for-prime-minister-other-parties-keep-supporting-their-own-nomination.htm |title=Democratic Liberals submit their own nomination for prime minister. Other parties keep supporting their own nomination |publisher=Hot News |date=15 October 2009 |access-date=16 October 2009 |archive-date=23 February 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223224204/http://english.hotnews.ro/stiri-politics-6282459-democratic-liberals-submit-their-own-nomination-for-prime-minister-other-parties-keep-supporting-their-own-nomination.htm }} although his party (i.e. the FDGR/DFDR) consistently allied itself with, and Iohannis campaigned in the prior European Parliament elections for, the National Liberals (PNL).

Subsequently, the PNL, PSD, UDMR, and the small ethnic minorities group in the Parliament presented Iohannis as their common candidate for Prime Minister of an interim government.{{cite news|language=ro |author1=Mircea Geoană |author2=Crin Antonescu |author3=Bela Marko |author4=Varujan Pambuccian |author5=Daniela Popa |url=http://media.hotnews.ro/media_server1/document-2009-10-14-6278638-0-scrisoarea-adresata-presedintelui-traian-basescu.pdf |title=Open letter to Traian Băsescu |date=14 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223184316/http://media.hotnews.ro/media_server1/document-2009-10-14-6278638-0-scrisoarea-adresata-presedintelui-traian-basescu.pdf |archive-date=23 February 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=15 October 2009 }} On 14 October, Iohannis confirmed acceptance of his candidacy. However, on 15 October, President Traian Băsescu nominated Lucian Croitoru, a top Romanian economist, as Prime Minister, and charged the latter with forming the country's next government.

After the second round of negotiations, a day before Croitoru's nomination, Băsescu noted: "Some parties have proposed Klaus Iohannis. I would like you to know that I have not rejected the possibility for him to become Prime Minister, while my options would rather envisage other [national unity government] solutions. But I have rejected{{dubious|reason=Obvious mistranslation. Has he, or hasn't he rejected the proposal? Can't be both.|date=November 2023}} such a proposal because it comes from PSD or another party [PNL]", referring to the alleged legal constraint of only considering a proposal presented by the largest parliamentary faction, at the time the Liberal Democratic Party (PDL), a constraint disputed by the other parties, along with insisting that given the financial and economic crisis at that time, a PM needs to have experience in that field.{{cite news|url=http://www.zf.ro/zf-24/basescu-spune-ca-n-are-nimic-cu-iohannis-dar-romania-are-nevoie-de-un-premier-cu-experienta-in-economie-4989693/ |language=ro |title=Băsescu spune ca n-are nimic cu Iohannis dar România are nevoie de un premier cu experiență în economie |trans-title=Băsescu Says He Has Nothing against Iohannis but that Romania Needs a Prime Minister with Economic Experience |publisher=Ziarul Financiar |date=14 October 2009 |access-date=16 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229135257/http://www.zf.ro/zf-24/basescu-spune-ca-n-are-nimic-cu-iohannis-dar-romania-are-nevoie-de-un-premier-cu-experienta-in-economie-4989693/ |archive-date=29 February 2012 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|language=ro|url=http://www.zf.ro/politica/pnl-psd-si-udmr-l-au-desemnat-pe-johannis-premier-desi-neamtul-nu-e-pe-gustul-lui-basescu-4989816/|title=PNL, PSD si UDMR l-au "desemnat" pe Johannis premier, desi neamtul nu e pe gustul lui Basescu|publisher=Ziarul Financiar|date=15 October 2009|access-date=21 October 2009}} The opposition criticised the President for not designating Iohannis. Social Democrat leader Mircea Geoană accused Băsescu of trying to influence the upcoming presidential elections by having them organised by a sympathetic government.{{cite news|url=http://www.sofiaecho.com/2009/10/15/800336_romanian-president-names-prime-minister-designate-opposition-seething |title=Romanian President names prime minister designate, opposition seething |work=The Sofia Echo |date=15 October 2009 |access-date=16 October 2009 |archive-date=29 March 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329044032/http://www.sofiaecho.com/2009/10/15/800336_romanian-president-names-prime-minister-designate-opposition-seething }}{{cite web|url=http://www.financiarul.ro/2009/10/15/update-geoana-basescu-cam-put-an-end-on-wednesday-to-political-crisis/ |title=Geoana-Basescu cam put an end on Wednesday to political crisis |publisher=Financiarul.ro |date=15 October 2009 |access-date=16 October 2009 |archive-date=6 October 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006011043/http://www.financiarul.ro/2009/10/15/update-geoana-basescu-cam-put-an-end-on-wednesday-to-political-crisis/ }} Crin Antonescu, the leader of the National Liberals, vowed his party would derail other nominations but Iohannis's. After the nomination of Croitoru, Antonescu, a candidate in the presidential election, stated that he would nominate Iohannis as prime minister if elected president.{{cite news|publisher=Financiarul.ro |url=http://www.financiarul.ro/2009/10/15/johannis-ready-to-head-national-union-govt/ |title=Johannis ready to head national union gov't |date=15 October 2009 |access-date=16 October 2009 |archive-date=6 October 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006010940/http://www.financiarul.ro/2009/10/15/johannis-ready-to-head-national-union-govt/ }} Three days later, on 18 October, Geoană suggested Antonescu was trying to use Iohannis as an "electoral agent" for Antonescu's bid for president. In response, Antonescu told the press that Iohannis "is not the type of person that would let himself be used".{{cite news|url=http://www.evz.ro/articole/detalii-articol/872102/Geoana-si-Antonescu-isi-disputa-quotagentul-electoralquot-Johannis/ |title=Geoană și Antonescu își dispută "agentul electoral" Johannis |publisher=Evenimentul Zilei |date=18 October 2009 |access-date=18 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021025623/http://www.evz.ro/articole/detalii-articol/872102/Geoana-si-Antonescu-isi-disputa-quotagentul-electoralquot-Johannis/ |archive-date=21 October 2009 |url-status=live }} Geoană and PSD leadership has held a second meeting with Iohannis in Bucharest in the evening of 18 October. UDMR, which the previous day announced it would also attend, declared in the morning that all their leaders were not in the city. PNL was present at the meeting with lower level representatives, after Antonescu announced in the morning that he was campaigning in Cluj{{cite news|url=http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-6305583-udmr-nu-participa-intalnirea-duminica-seara-klaus-johannis.htm |title=UDMR nu participa la intalnirea de duminica seara cu Klaus Johannis |publisher=Hot News |date=18 October 2009 |access-date=18 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021012542/http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-6305583-udmr-nu-participa-intalnirea-duminica-seara-klaus-johannis.htm |archive-date=21 October 2009 |url-status=live }} On 21 October the Parliament adopted with 252 votes in favour (PSD, PNL, UDMR, and minorities groups) and 2 against a declaration requesting the President to nominate Iohannis as Prime Minister.{{cite news|url=http://www.evz.ro/articole/detalii-articol/872540/Johannis-validat-premier-in-parlament/ |title=Johannis, "validat premier" în parlament |publisher=Evenimentul Zilei |date=21 October 2009 |access-date=21 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091022082913/http://www.evz.ro/articole/detalii-articol/872540/Johannis-validat-premier-in-parlament/ |archive-date=22 October 2009 }}{{cite news|url=http://old.cotidianul.ro/parlamentul_a_adoptat_declaratia_de_sustinere_a_lui_klaus_johannis_la_functia_de_premier-101364.html|title=Parlamentarii au adoptat declarația de susținere a lui Klaus Iohannis la funcția de premier|publisher=Cotidianul|date=21 October 2009|access-date=22 October 2009}} {{Dead link|date=November 2014}}

On 20 February 2013, Iohannis joined the PNL, announcing this during a press conference with Crin Antonescu. At a PNL extraordinary congress, he was elected First Vice President of the Party. In the meeting of 28 June 2014, he was elected President of the PNL with 95% of the votes.

File:Victor Ponta la dezbatere Realitatea TV - 11.11 (1) (15153345483).jpg opponent (and former USL ally) Victor Ponta at a TV debate on Realitatea TV, 11 November 2014|200x200px]]

In 2009, Iohannis had stated that he might possibly run for the office of President of Romania, although not in that year.{{cite web|url=http://www.administratie.ro/articol.php?id=28193|title=Portalul national de Administratie Publica|access-date=16 November 2014|language=ro|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129010936/http://www.administratie.ro/articol.php?id=28193|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=dead}} In addition, former Prime Minister Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu also stated on 27 October 2009 and again on 23 April 2010 that he would like to see Iohannis become either Prime Minister or President of Romania sometime in the future.{{cite web|url=http://www.libertatea.ro/stire/tariceanu-il-vad-pe-iohannis-fie-premier-fie-presedinte-262122.html |title=Tăriceanu: "Îl văd pe Iohannis fie premier, fie preşedinte" |access-date=16 November 2014 |language=ro |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204083428/http://libertatea.ro/stire/tariceanu-il-vad-pe-iohannis-fie-premier-fie-presedinte-262122.html |archive-date=4 February 2010 }}

PNL and PDL started in the summer of 2014 procedures to strengthen the political right. The two parties will eventually merge under the name PNL, but went for elections in an alliance: the Christian Liberal Alliance ({{langx|ro|Alianța Creștin-Liberală}}). On 11 August the alliance chose Iohannis as its candidate for the presidential election in November{{cite web |url=http://www.romania-insider.com/romanias-christian-liberal-alliance-chooses-its-presidential-candidate/129498/ |title=Romania's Christian Liberal Alliance chooses its presidential candidate |work=Romania-Insider |author=Irina Popescu |date=11 August 2014 |access-date=7 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104183314/http://www.romania-insider.com/romanias-christian-liberal-alliance-chooses-its-presidential-candidate/129498/ |archive-date=4 November 2014 |url-status=dead }} and so he was registered as an official presidential candidate. In a late August 2014 interview, Iohannis described himself as a politruk who candidates for the presidency of Romania.{{cite web|language=ro|url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-17987966-klaus-iohannis-sunt-politruc-care-vrea-candideze-presedintia-romaniei.htm|title=Klaus Iohannis: Sunt un politruc care vrea sa candideze la presedintia Romaniei|author=Raluca Pantazi|work=HotNews.ro|date=28 August 2014|accessdate=24 September 2021}} He subsequently received 30.37% of the votes in the first round, finishing second and consequently qualifying for the second round. In the second round on 16 November he was elected President of Romania with 54.43% of the cast ballots.

{{Infobox President styles

| image = 50px

| name = Klaus Iohannis

| dipstyle = Președintele (President)

| offstyle = Președintele (President)

| altstyle = Domnia Sa/Excelența Sa (His Excellency)

}}

File:Klaus Iohannis with Reuven Rivlin (1).jpg in March 2016]]

File:Secretary Tillerson and Romanian President Iohannis Pose for a Photo Before Their Meeting in Washington (34814507170).jpg and Iohannis before their bilateral meeting at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on 9 June 2017]]

File:EPP Summit, 22 March 2018 (27083894888).jpg in March 2018]]

File:EPP Summit, Sibiu, May 2019 (40844053313).jpg in May 2019]]

File:Зустріч Президента України з президентами Франції та Румунії, а також головами урядів Німеччини та Італії 61.jpg in May 2022]]

File:Presidents of Azerbaijan and Romania held one-on-one meeting 01.jpg in February 2023]]

Iohannis took office on 21 December 2014, when Traian Băsescu's term ended. His presidential campaign focused on fighting corruption and on improving the justice system.{{cite news|work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/16/romania-klaus-iohannis-president |title=Klaus Iohannis wins Romanian presidential election |date=16 November 2014 |access-date=17 November 2014 |archive-date=17 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117064758/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/16/romania-klaus-iohannis-president |url-status=live }} Iohannis is also a supporter of a strongly pro-Western foreign policy.{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21633835-surprise-winner-may-mark-welcome-shift-pragmatic-policies-commonsense-victory |title=A commonsense victory: A surprise winner may mark a welcome shift to pragmatic policies |newspaper=The Economist |date=22 November 2014 |access-date=24 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141124204240/http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21633835-surprise-winner-may-mark-welcome-shift-pragmatic-policies-commonsense-victory |archive-date=24 November 2014 }} Regarding the unification of the Republic of Moldova with Romania, much discussed in the electoral campaign, Iohannis stated that "is something that only Bucharest can offer and only Chișinău can accept", and this "special relationship must be cultivated and enhanced especially by us [the Romanian state]".{{cite web |url=http://www.digi24.ro/Stiri/Digi24/Special/COTROCENI+2014/Klaus+Iohannis+unire+Moldova+relatii+rusia+securitate+riscuri |title=Klaus Iohannis, despre unirea României cu Republica Moldova și relațiile cu Rusia |work=Digi24 |date=7 November 2014 |language=ro}}{{cite web |url=http://www.rfi.ro/stiri-politica-52886-iohannis-republica-moldova-unirea-este-ceva-ce-doar-bucurestiul-poate-oferi |title=Iohannis, despre Republica Moldova: Unirea este ceva ce doar Bucureștiul poate oferi şi doar Chişinăul poate accepta |work=RFI România: Actualitate, informaţii, ştiri în direct |publisher=Radio France Internationale |date=7 October 2014 |language=ro}} Upon taking office, Iohannis suspended his membership within the National Liberal Party (PNL); the Romanian constitution does not allow the president to be a formal member of a political party during his tenure.

A heavily disputed draft law proposed by Nicolae Păun, leader of the Party of the Roma, regarding the amnesty of some misdemeanors and the pardoning of certain penalties was rejected by the Chamber of Deputies at the initiative of Iohannis and the party he led,{{cite web |url=http://www.gandul.info/politica/legea-amnistiei-si-gratierii-a-fost-respinsa-definitiv-13586659 |title=Legea amnistiei şi graţierii a fost RESPINSĂ DEFINITIV |work=Gândul |author=Sorina Ionașc |date=18 November 2014 |language=ro}} after PNL asked the Judiciary Committee 17 times to reject the draft law.{{cite web |url=http://www.mediafax.ro/politic/camera-deputatilor-a-respins-proiectul-legii-amnistiei-si-gratierii-scutaru-catre-parlamentarii-psd-a-trebuit-sa-pierdeti-alegerile-prezidentiale-pentru-a-aduce-proiectul-pe-ordinea-de-zi-13586800 |title=Camera Deputaţilor A RESPINS proiectul legii amnistiei şi graţierii. Scutaru, către parlamentarii PSD: "A trebuit să pierdeţi alegerile prezidenţiale pentru a aduce proiectul pe ordinea de zi" |work=Mediafax.ro |author=Adelina Dragomir |date=18 November 2014 |language=ro}}

The collaboration with socialist Prime Minister Victor Ponta was praised by both sides at the start of the mandate, but deteriorated thereafter once with foreign visits of the Head of the Executive, without informing the President, but especially with the criminal prosecution of Victor Ponta for 22 alleged corruption charges, prompting Iohannis to demand his resignation from the head of the Government.{{cite web |url=http://www.realitatea.net/iohannis-ii-cere-din-nou-demisia-lui-ponta-votul-din-parlament-iresponsabilitate-i-sfidare_1717108.html |title=Iohannis îi cere din nou demisia lui Ponta: Votul din Parlament, iresponsabilitate și sfidare |publisher=Realitatea.net |date=9 June 2015 |language=ro}} Relations with Parliament went similarly. Iohannis criticised the Parliament for defending MPs by rejecting the requests of the National Anticorruption Directorate for lifting their immunity, as in the case of PSD senator Dan Șova or Prime Minister Victor Ponta.{{cite web |url=http://adevarul.ro/news/politica/bilanT-arata-romania-lucrului-facut-primele-sase-luni-klaus-iohannis-cotroceni-1_5585a3a0cfbe376e357bc16a/index.html |title=Cum arată "România lucrului bine făcut" după primele şase luni ale lui Klaus Iohannis la Cotroceni |work=Adevărul |last=Mihalache |first=Mădălina |date=21 June 2015 |language=ro}} Regarding the judicial system, Iohannis pleads for a sustained fight against corruption. Likewise, Iohannis expressed dissatisfaction with attempted amendments to the Penal Code.{{cite web |url=http://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/politic/klaus-iohannis-anunta-ca-nu-este-de-acord-cu-modificarea-codului-penal-dna-o-serie-de-inculpati-ar-fi-achitati.html |title=Klaus Iohannis anunta ca nu este de acord cu modificarea Codului Penal. DNA: O serie de inculpati ar fi achitati |work=Stirile Pro TV |date=26 May 2015 |language=ro}} In the context of foreign policy, Iohannis and Andrzej Duda, the President of Poland, created Bucharest Nine during a meeting between both in Bucharest on 4 November 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.presidency.ro/en/media/press-releases/bilateral-visit-of-president-of-romania-mr-klaus-iohannis-in-the-republic-of-poland-and-his-participation-in-the-high-level-meeting-of-the-bucharest-format-b9-on-7-8-june|title=Bilateral visit of President of Romania, Mr. Klaus Iohannis, in the Republic of Poland and his participation in the High Level Meeting of the Bucharest Format (B9), on 7–8 June 2018|publisher=President of Romania|date=5 June 2018}} The Russian annexation of Ukrainian Crimea and the country's intervention in the east of Ukraine are the main reason for the creation of the organisation. It has nine members, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.{{cite web|url=https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/ukraine/15574.pdf|title=Bucharest Nine: looking for cooperation on NATO's eastern flank?|first=Sergiy|last=Gerasymchuk|publisher=Friedrich Ebert Foundation|pages=1–10|year=2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/central-europe/2017-11-10/how-romania-and-poland-can-strengthen-nato-and-eu|title=How Romania and Poland can strengthen NATO and the EU|first1=Vasile|last1=Rotaru|first2=Andreas|last2=Umland|newspaper=Foreign Affairs|date=10 November 2017}}

As President, Iohannis made it a habit to hold consultations with parliamentary parties. The first round of consultations, on 12 January 2015, sought a political agreement among all parties that would ensure, by 2017, a minimum threshold of 2% of GDP for the Ministry of Defence.{{cite web |url=http://www.mediafax.ro/politic/presedintele-si-partidele-au-semnat-acordul-privind-pragul-minimal-de-2-din-pib-pentru-aparare-iohannis-astazi-aratam-militarilor-romani-ca-ii-respectam-si-ca-dorim-sa-le-imbunatatim-conditiile-13761996 |title=Preşedintele şi partidele au semnat Acordul privind pragul minimal de 2% din PIB pentru Apărare. Iohannis: Astăzi arătăm militarilor români că îi respectăm şi că dorim să le îmbunătăţim condiţiile |work=Mediafax |last=Postelnicu |first=Valentina |date=13 January 2015 |language=ro}} The second round of consultations focused on the legislative priorities of the parliamentary session: voting in diaspora, financing electoral campaigns and parties, and lifting parliamentary immunity. Because Parliament had not implemented the commitments made on 28 January, Iohannis organised another series of consultations on the state of electoral laws{{cite web |url=http://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/politic/klaus-iohannis-incepe-luni-a-treia-runda-de-consultari-cu-partidele-pe-tema-reformei-electorale.html |title=Consultari la Palatul Cotroceni. Klaus Iohannis a anuntat promulgarea a doua noi legi pana la jumatatea lunii mai |work=Stirile Pro TV |date=20 April 2015 |language=ro}} and on the rejection of Justice requests for approval of arresting or prosecuting of MPs. Other meetings between the president and parties focused on the Big Brother law package and the national defence strategy.{{cite web |url=http://www.romanialibera.ro/politica/institutii/klaus-iohannis--consultari-cu-partidele-politice-pe-tema-strategiei-nationale-de-aparare-381129 |title=Klaus Iohannis, consultări cu partidele politice pe tema Strategiei Naționale de Apărare |work=România Liberă |last=Mitu |first=Andra |date=8 June 2015 |language=ro}}

In February 2016, the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF) sent a notice of evacuation of the headquarters of two TV stations owned by Dan Voiculescu, sentenced in August 2014 to 10 years imprisonment in a corruption case with 60 million euros worth of prejudice.{{cite web |date=15 February 2016 |title=ANAF: Antena 1 și Antena 3 au cinci zile să evacueze sediile |url=http://www.digi24.ro/Stiri/Digi24/Actualitate/Justitie/EVACUARE+SEDIU+ANTENA+1+SI+ANTENA+3+ANAF |work=Digi24}} In this context, Iohannis stated that ANAF approach in Antena TV Group case is "hasty", "inappropriate" and that "freedom of expression in media can not be suppressed for trivial administrative reasons".{{cite web |author=V. M. |date=17 February 2016 |title=Klaus Iohannis ia apărarea Antenei 3: Libertatea de exprimare nu poate fi suprimata pentru banale motive administrative / Abordarea heirupistă a ANAF, cel puțin nepotrivită / Există deschidere, până la urmă se găsesc soluții convenabile |url=http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-esential-20802606-klaus-iohannis-apararea-antenei-3-libertatea-exprimare-media-nu-poate-suprimata-pentru-banale-motive-administrative.htm |work=HotNews}} His position was met with a wave of criticism from supporters and public figures.{{cite web |author=Ionel Dancu |date=18 February 2016 |title=Revoltă pe Facebook împotriva lui Klaus Iohannis: 'Îmi pare rău că v-am votat' |url=http://www.stiripesurse.ro/revolta-pe-facebook-impotriva-lui-klaus-iohannis-imi-pare-rau-ca-v-am-votat_983056.html |website=www.stiripesurse.ro}}{{cite web |date=18 February 2016 |title=Klaus Iohannis, părăsit pe Facebook: șase unlike-uri pe minut |url=http://www.digi24.ro/Stiri/Digi24/Actualitate/Politica/Klaus+Iohannis+parasit+pe+Facebook+sase+unlike-uri+pe+minut |work=Digi24}} On the same note, Iohannis stated that union with Moldova is "a less serious approach" in the context of the Transnistria conflict, of differences between Romania and Moldova regarding economic stability and fighting corruption, and can be discussed when things are stable in both countries.{{cite web |author=Carmen Vintilă |date=17 February 2016 |title=Klaus Iohannis: Unirea cu R. Moldova poate fi discutată când lucrurile sunt stabile |url=http://www.evz.ro/klaus-iohannis-24.html |newspaper=Evenimentul Zilei}} The statement sparked indignation among unionists who accused him of demagogy, considering that during the electoral campaign of 2014 he expressed a favourable position on the issue.{{cite web |date=7 October 2014 |title=Cum crede Klaus Iohannis că poate fi realizată unirea Republicii Moldova cu România |url=http://independent.md/klaus-iohannis-ca-poate-fi-realizata-unirea-republicii-moldova-cu-romania/#.VstA9vmLTIU |work=Independent.md}} In March 2018, at the 100th anniversary of the Union of Bessarabia with Romania, he was absent from a plenary vote regarding the issue.{{cite web |date=27 March 2018 |title=Băsescu: Absența lui Iohannis de la ședința solemnă privind Unirea, o eroare politică majoră |url=http://www.gandul.info/politica/basescu-absenta-lui-iohannis-de-la-sedinta-solemna-privind-unirea-o-eroare-politica-majora-17111535 |newspaper=Gândul}}

President Iohannis is considered the person primarily responsible for the 2021 Romanian political crisis,{{cite web |last1=Timu |first1=Andra |last2=Vilcu |first2=Irina |date=6 October 2021 |title=Romanian President Sees Lasting Political Crisis as Virus Surges |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-06/romanian-president-sees-lasting-political-crisis-as-virus-surges |access-date=5 April 2022 |publisher=Bloomberg}}{{cite web |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2021/09/07/ministers-resign-from-romanian-govt-as-political-crisis-deepens/|title=Ministers Resign from Romanian Govt as Political Crisis Deepens|work=Balkan Insight|first=Madalin|last=Necsutu|date=7 September 2021|access-date=9 September 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/barna-apel-catre-iohannis-sa-termine-criza-politica-fara-timpi-morti-si-fara-amanari-1690879|title=Barna, apel către Iohannis să termine criza politică: "Fără timpi morți și fără amânări"|website=www.digi24.ro|date=5 October 2021 |accessdate=11 May 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.zf.ro/opinii/iohannis-criza-politica-responsabil-deloc-ingrijoratoare-drula-usr-20260666|title=Pentru Iohannis, criza politică, de care este şi el responsabil, nu este deloc îngrijorătoare. (Drulă, USR, fost ministru: Florine, România nu te mai vrea! Eşti terminat politic, eşti un premier toxic!) Pentru antreprenori, această luptă politică sterilă nu aduce nimic bun României. Pentru mulţi alţii, este încă un motiv de a pleca din ţară, şi nu din cauza banilor|website=ZF.ro|accessdate=11 May 2023}} with 35% of respondents in a November 2021 CURS opinion poll calling him the main culprit for the crisis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.g4media.ro/sondaj-curs-realizat-la-comanda-psd-partidul-lui-ciolacu-a-ajuns-la-38-pnl-a-scazut-la-18-35-il-indica-pe-klaus-iohannis-drept-principalul-vinovat-pentru-criza-politica.html|title=Sondaj CURS realizat la comanda PSD: Partidul lui Ciolacu a ajuns la 38%, PNL a scăzut la 18% / 35% îl indică pe Klaus Iohannis drept principalul vinovat pentru criza politică|date=22 November 2021|website=G4Media.ro|accessdate=11 May 2023}} Critics blame him for excluding the USR from the government during late 2021 and thereby allowing the PSD back to power,{{cite web |date=27 November 2021 |title=Presa elvețiană, despre guvernul PSD PNL UDMR: Coaliția dușmanilor și sfârșitul unei speranțe / Este vorba doar de a nu pierde accesul la putere și bani |url=https://www.g4media.ro/presa-elvetiana-despre-guvernul-psd-pnl-udmr-coalitia-dusmanilor-si-sfarsitul-unei-sperante-este-vorba-doar-de-a-nu-pierde-accesul-la-putere-si-bani.html}} as happened on 25 November 2021, when the National Coalition for Romania was founded and the Ciucă Cabinet was sworn in.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mediafax.ro/editorialistii/ion-cristoiu-alianta-pnl-psd-e-victoria-lui-klaus-iohannis-poate-cea-mai-mare-victorie-a-sa-din-cei-10-ani-de-mandat-20359015|title=Ion Cristoiu: Alianţa PNL-PSD e victoria lui Klaus Iohannis, poate cea mai mare victorie a sa din cei 10 ani de mandat|website=Mediafax.ro|accessdate=11 May 2023}}{{cite web |title=NZZ: Demistificarea lui Klaus Iohannis | DW | 29.11.2021 |url=https://www.dw.com/ro/nzz-demistificarea-lui-klaus-iohannis/a-59969232 |website=Deutsche Welle}}{{Cite news|url=https://romania.europalibera.org/a/alegerile-parlamentare-un-an/31598086.html|title=Analiză | Un an de la alegerile parlamentare. Cum s-a întors PSD înapoi la guvernare|first=Andreea|last=Pora|newspaper=Europa Liberă România |date=8 December 2021|accessdate=11 May 2023|via=romania.europalibera.org}} Two months later, Iohannis praised the new coalition, stating that "the Romanian political class has shown democratic maturity".{{Cite web|url=https://www.antena3.ro/actualitate/klaus-iohannis-lauda-coalitia-in-fata-ambasadorilor-straini-625611.html|title=Klaus Iohannis laudă Coaliția în fața ambasadorilor străini: "Clasa politică din România a dovedit maturitate democratică"|website=www.antena3.ro|accessdate=11 May 2023}} Iohannis was faulted because he had previously criticised the PSD during the 2017–2019 PSD-ALDE coalition. At the 2020 legislative elections, he called the electorate to vote, promising to get rid of the PSD.{{Cite web|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/klaus-iohannis-de-abia-astept-sa-treaca-motiunea-sa-scapam-de-psd-1194310|title=Klaus Iohannis: "De-abia aștept să treacă moțiunea, să scăpăm de PSD!"|website=www.digi24.ro|date=30 September 2019 |accessdate=11 May 2023}}{{cite web |date=15 November 2021 |title=VIDEO Iohannis a închis "definitiv epoca PSD", dar doar pentru un an. Inventarul declarațiilor președintelui despre partidul-dezastru bun acum pentru o guvernare cu PNL – Politic – HotNews.ro |url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-25180681-video-iohannis-inchis-definitiv-epoca-psd-dar-doar-pentru-inventarul-declaratiilor-presedintelui-despre-partidul-dezastru-bun-acum-pentru-guvernare-pnl.htm}} Some public figures in Romania, who had previously expressed support for Iohannis, complained of his double standard and lack of proper governance. These critics include Vladimir Tismăneanu, Tudor Chirilă, Radu Paraschivescu, Mircea Cărtărescu, Andrei Oișteanu, Ada Solomon,{{cite web |date=24 November 2021 |title=Manifest anti-Iohannis, zeci de intelectuali si activisti: "Este o mineriada politica. Cea mai nerușinată trădare a votului popular de după 1990" |url=https://www.aktual24.ro/manifest-anti-iohannis-zeci-de-intelectuali-si-activisti-este-o-mineriada-politica-cea-mai-nerusinata-tradare-a-votului-popular-de-dupa-1990/}} Marius Manole,{{Cite news|url=https://romania.europalibera.org/a/marius-manole-decoratie/31572983.html|title=Marius Manole returnează decorația primită de la Klaus Iohannis. "Nu girez această alianță imorală cu PSD"|first=Carmen|last=Valică|newspaper=Europa Liberă România |date=22 November 2021|accessdate=11 May 2023|via=romania.europalibera.org}} Cristian Tudor Popescu,{{cite web |title=CTP: Criză? Persoana care arată clar în criză, în momentul de față, este domnul Iohannis |date=23 October 2021 |url=https://www.digi24.ro/opinii/ctp-criza-persoana-care-arata-clar-in-criza-in-momentul-de-fata-este-domnul-iohannis-1710423 |publisher=Digi24}} and Gabriel Liiceanu.{{cite web |date=7 November 2021 |title=Gabriel Liiceanu: Cum să-ți conducă țara un om care, în ziua când se comemorează Colectivul, joacă golf? În jur oamenii mor, iar ei se joacă de-a politica |url=https://spotmedia.ro/stiri/politica/gabriel-liiceanu-cum-sa-ti-conduca-tara-un-om-care-in-ziua-cand-se-comemoreaza-colectivul-joaca-golf-in-jur-oamenii-mor-iar-ei-se-joaca-de-a-politica}} The coalition's rule has been described as being authoritarian,{{Cite web|url=https://www.fanatik.ro/pnl-si-psd-imping-romania-catre-un-regim-autoritar-amendamentul-surpriza-din-legea-anti-ong-folosit-impotriva-presei-ne-ducem-intr-o-directie-foarte-periculoasa-20316603|title=PNL și PSD împing România către un regim autoritar. Amendamentul surpriză din legea anti-ONG, folosit împotriva presei. "Ne ducem într-o direcție foarte periculoasă"|first=Laurentiu|last=Sirbu|date=20 February 2023|website=Fanatik.ro|accessdate=11 May 2023}} illiberal,{{Cite news|url=https://romania.europalibera.org/a/riscul-democrației-iliberale-in-romania-modelul-ungariei/31965186.html|title=Analiză | Riscul democrației iliberale în România. Umbra serviciilor, plagiat, presă plătită de partide și proiecte secrete|first=Cristian|last=Andrei|newspaper=Europa Liberă România |date=1 August 2022|accessdate=11 May 2023|via=romania.europalibera.org}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bihon.ro/stirile-judetului-bihor/romania-iliberala-va-aduce-coalitia-psd-pnl-udmr-reformele-necesare-sau-se-va-ingriji-doar-de-clientela-politica-3868914/|title=România iliberală? Va aduce coaliția PSD-PNL-UDMR reformele necesare sau se va îngriji doar de clientela politică?|date=7 December 2021 |accessdate=11 May 2023}} kleptocratic and corrupt.{{Cite web|url=https://www.digi24.ro/opinii/ctp-cotarceala-pnl-cu-psd-incalca-separatia-coruptiilor-in-stat-1726213|title=CTP: Cotârceala PNL cu PSD încalcă separația corupțiilor în stat|website=www.digi24.ro|date=6 November 2021 |accessdate=11 May 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://adevarul.ro/blogurile-adevarul/moldovenii-si-bulgarii-au-votat-partide-2132908.html|title=Moldovenii şi bulgarii au votat partide anticorupţie. La noi, după "concubinajul" politic cu PSD, votanţii PNL vor migra la USR|website=adevarul.ro|date=16 November 2021 |accessdate=11 May 2023}}

Despite the fact that, officially, the President of Romania is not affiliated with any political party, Iohannis was regarded as the de facto leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL).{{cite web |title=Andrei Cornea: PNL s-a prăbușit în fața lui Iohannis (SpotMedia) | DW | 24.11.2021 |url=https://www.dw.com/ro/andrei-cornea-pnl-s-a-pr%C4%83bu%C8%99it-%C3%AEn-fa%C8%9Ba-lui-iohannis-spotmedia/a-59915035 |website=Deutsche Welle}}{{cite news |title=Jucătorul din umbră | Ce s-a prăbușit în jurul lui Klaus Iohannis și ce mai controlează |newspaper=Europa Liberă România |date=3 January 2022 |url=https://romania.europalibera.org/a/jucatorul-din-umbra-klaus-iohannis-2022/31631738.html |last1=Andrei |first1=Cristian }}

On 12 June 2023, according to the protocol of the CNR, Nicolae Ciucă resigned.{{cite web | url=https://adevarul.ro/politica/nicolae-ciuca-a-demisionat-din-functia-de-2274920.html |first1=Andreea |last1=Rubica |website=adevarul.ro | title=Nicolae Ciucă a demisionat din funcția de prim-ministru. Cătălin Predoiu, numit premier interimar | date=12 June 2023 }} The next day, President Iohannis designated Marcel Ciolacu to be the next prime-minister.{{cite web | url=https://www.europafm.ro/klaus-iohannis-marcel-ciolacu-este-noul-premier-al-romaniei/ | title=Klaus Iohannis: Marcel Ciolacu este noul premier desemnat al României | VIDEO | date=13 June 2023 }} Ciucă became the President of the Romanian Senate on 13 June 2023.{{cite web | url=https://www.news.ro/politic-intern/update-nicolae-ciuca-a-fost-ales-presedinte-al-senatului-1922401113002023060621225328 | title=UPDATE – Nicolae Ciucă a fost ales preşedinte al Senatului | date=13 June 2023 }} UDMR also withdrew from the coalition, after the National Liberals decided to take the Minister of Development, Public Works and Administration, which was held by UDMR in the Ciucă Cabinet.{{cite web | url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-26332170-lista-ministrilor-psd-pnl-din-guvernul-ciolacu-udmr-iese-guvernare.htm | title=Lista miniștrilor PSD și PNL din Guvernul Ciolacu / UDMR iese de la guvernare | date=13 June 2023 }}{{cite web | url=http://m.stiri.tvr.ro/pre-edintele-pnl-nicolae-ciuca-despre-ie-irea-udmr-de-la-guvernare-pnl-a-oferit-udmr-ministerul-energiei-solicitarea-lor-a-fost-ministerul-dezvoltarii_933021.html | title=Președintele PNL, Nicolae Ciucă, despre ieșirea UDMR de la guvernare: PNL a oferit UDMR Ministerul Energiei. Solicitarea lor a fost Ministerul Dezvoltării | date=14 June 2023 }} On 15 June 2023, the Parliament of Romania voted through the Ciolacu Cabinet. Iohannis praised the PSD-PNL coalition again, saying that this new model implemented in Romanian politics, the government rotation, "has worked very well so far". He also declared that "the fact that today we are here to formalise the rotation of the prime ministers shows a new level of seriousness of the coalition".{{cite web | url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-26330456-partidele-merg-marti-cotroceni-pentru-discuta-iohannis-programul-consultarilor-cine-putea-ministrii-din-viitorul-guvern.htm | title=VIDEO Iohannis laudă din nou coaliția PSD-PNL după consultările rapide de la Cotroceni încheiate cu desemnarea lui Ciolacu: "Acest model de rotație a funcționat foarte bine. Un nou nivel de seriozitate la nivelul coaliției" | date=13 June 2023 }} During the late part of Iohannis's presidency, especially during Ciucă's premiership, the freedom of the press in Romania declined, according to World Press Freedom Index (from 75.09 in 2021{{cite web | url=https://rsf.org/en/index?year=2021 | title=Index | RSF }} to 69.04 in 2023{{cite web | url=https://rsf.org/en/index?year=2023 | title=Index | RSF }}). Under Ciucă's premiership, Romania experienced democratic backsliding, with The Economist ranking it last in the European Union in terms of democracy, even behind Viktor Orbán's Hungary. The Economist{{'}}s Democracy Index also consistently placed Romania behind the African country of Botswana, which Iohannis had sarcastically lamented in a 2014 presidential campaign interview (at the time, Romania was 60th to Botswana's 20th) and which prompted him to stress the need to "consolidate democracy".{{cite web |author=Daniel Ionașcu |date=16 February 2021 |title=Indicele Democrației în 2020: România, pe locul 62, cu cel mai mic scor la "cultură politică". Botswana și Mongolia, peste noi |url=https://www.libertatea.ro/stiri/indicele-democratiei-in-2020-romania-pe-locul-62-cu-cel-mai-mic-scor-la-cultura-politica-botswana-si-mongolia-peste-noi-3418076 |accessdate=18 November 2023 |work=Libertatea |language=ro}}{{cite web|url=https://www.digi24.ro/special/dosare/cotroceni-2014/emil-hurezeanu-ati-pierdut-in-zimbabwe-klaus-iohannis-dar-poate-am-castigat-in-botswana-318421|title=Emil Hurezeanu: Ați pierdut în Zimbabwe! Klaus Iohannis: Dar poate am câștigat în Botswana!|work=Digi24.ro|date=7 November 2014|accessdate=18 November 2023}}

On 12 March 2024, Iohannis announced his candidacy for the post of Secretary-General of NATO, promising a "renewal of perspective" for the alliance and citing Romania's "deep understanding" of the situation created by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He was expected to compete against outgoing Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte.{{cite web |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/romania-president-iohannis-announces-nato-chief-bid-238ccf9d |title=Romania President Iohannis Announces NATO Chief Bid |date=12 March 2024 |work=Barron's}} Iohannis withdrew his candidacy on 20 June 2024.{{cite web |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/romania-s-iohannis-drops-nato-chief-bid-backs-rutte-govt-31c76fa6 |title=Romania's Iohannis Drops NATO Chief Bid, Backs Rutte: Defence Council |date=20 June 2024 |work=Barron's}}File:President Joe Biden sits down for a meeting with President Klaus Iohannis.jpg in May 2024]]Following the annulment of the 2024 Romanian presidential election in December, Iohannis was allowed to stay on as president by the Constitutional Court until his successor could be elected.{{Cite web |title=Romania's President Iohannis resigns in face of impeachment threat from hard-right opposition |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250210-romania-s-outgoing-president-resigns-in-face-of-impeachment-threat-from-opposition |access-date=10 February 2025 |website=France 24}} However, on 10 February 2025, Iohannis announced his resignation as President of Romania in order to "not create a divided Romania".{{Cite web |title=Președintele Klaus Iohannis a anunțat că demisionează din funcție: "Pentru a scuti România de această criză" |url=https://observatornews.ro/politic/presedintele-klaus-iohannis-face-declaratii-de-presa-de-la-ora-1410-609560.html |access-date=10 February 2025 |website=Observator News |language=RO}} This followed a motion filed by opposition MPs calling for Iohannis's suspension, with his resignation becoming effective on 12 February 2025.{{Cite web |title=Romanian President Klaus Iohannis resigns ahead of election re-run |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3w805xjg1xo |access-date=10 February 2025 |website=BBC}} He was succeeded by Senate president Ilie Bolojan, who will serve as acting president until the 2025 Romanian presidential election.{{Cite web |title=Romania's Iohannis steps down, leaving caretaker president in charge until election rerun in spring |url=https://apnews.com/article/romania-president-europe-eu-klaus-iohannis-elections-a42440317c1ac55926789f4664656f60 |access-date=12 February 2025 |website=AP News}}

{{Main|List of international presidential trips made by Klaus Iohannis}}

{{Main|Unification of Moldova and Romania}}

Regarding the unification of Moldova and Romania, Iohannis declared during the 2014 presidential campaign that the unification is something that only Bucharest can provide and only Chișinău can accept. "If Moldovan citizens want the unification with Romania, then nobody can stop them", stated Klaus Iohannis. After election, his position mitigated, stressing that, at the moment, Romania should support Moldova to consolidate its pro-European path.{{cite web|url=http://unimedia.info/stiri/Klaus-Iohannis-despre-unire-cetaenie-i-relaiile-moldo-romane-85118.html|title=Klaus Iohannis despre unire, cetățenie și relațiile moldo-române|work=Unimedia|date=29 November 2014}} President Klaus Iohannis said that a possible unification of Romania and Moldova could be discussed at the moment things are going well and stable in the two countries.{{cite web|url=http://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/actualitate/protest-in-piata-universitatii-dupa-declaratiile-lui-iohannis-despre-unirea-cu-r-moldova-daca-taceai-filosof-ramaneai.html|title=Protest in Piata Universitatii, dupa declaratiile lui Iohannis despre unirea cu R. Moldova. "Daca taceai, filozof ramaneai"|work=Știrile Pro TV|date=20 February 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.romanialibera.ro/actualitate/eveniment/cand-crede-presedintele-iohannis-ca-ar-fi-posibila-unirea-cu-republica-moldova-407573|title=Când crede preşedintele Iohannis că ar fi posibilă unirea cu Republica Moldova|work=România Liberă|author=Carla Popa|date=17 February 2016}}

{{Main|Székely autonomy movement}}

In March 2017, a sub-group of the ethnically Hungarian Székely community in southeastern Transylvania launched a petition demanding autonomy for their region, arguing for political and administrative self-rule, their own elected president and flag, as well as the recognition of Hungarian as an official language next to Romanian.{{cite news|url=https://jamestown.org/program/hungarian-minoritys-demands-for-autonomy-in-romania-brushfire-or-prelude-to-full-fledged-blaze/|title=Hungarian Minority's Demands for Autonomy in Romania: Brushfire or Prelude to Full-Fledged Blaze? {{!}} Jamestown|newspaper=Jamestown|language=en-US|access-date=31 July 2017}} Iohannis, on a visit to the region in July, cautioned against decentralisation and the creation of regions based on the ethnic origin of residents.{{Cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/romania-president-warns-autonomy-hungary-enclave-48695864|title=Romania president warns against autonomy in Hungary enclave|work=ABC News|access-date=31 July 2017|language=en|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731145854/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/romania-president-warns-autonomy-hungary-enclave-48695864|archive-date=31 July 2017}} He argued for more and improved cooperation between Romanians and Hungarians "as the only solution for us" instead, stressing local administrative reforms and developing the region.{{cite web | title=President Iohannis urges Romanians, ethnic Hungarians to work together as only solution for them | website=ACTMedia | date=19 July 2017 | url=https://actmedia.eu/daily/president-iohannis-urges-romanians-ethnic-hungarians-to-work-together-as-only-solution-for-them/70512 | access-date=16 July 2022}}

On 28 April 2020, a draft legislation favouring the autonomy of Székely Land, submitted by two deputies of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR/RMDSZ) in December 2019,{{cite news |last1=Bíró |first1=Blanka |title=Hallgatólagosan elfogadta a képviselőház az autonómiastatútumot |url=https://szekelyhon.ro/aktualis/hallgatolagosan-elfogadta-a-kepviselohaz-az-autonomiastatutumot |access-date=1 June 2020 |work=Székelyhon.ro |date=28 April 2020 |language=hu}} was tacitly adopted by the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of the Parliament of Romania, in which the Social Democratic Party (PSD) held a plurality of seats and all whilst the National Liberal Party (PNL) led a minority government. The draft bill was automatically adopted after it exceeded the 45-day deadline for debate.{{cite news |last1=Barberá |first1=Marcel Gascón |title=Romanian Opposition 'Giving Transylvania to Hungarians', President Claims |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2020/04/29/romanian-opposition-giving-transylvania-to-hungarians-president-claims/ |access-date=1 June 2020 |work=Balkan Insight |date=29 April 2020}} On 29 April, Iohannis criticised the draft's adoption in a television speech, stating "as we ... fight the coronavirus pandemic, ... the PSD ... fights in the secret offices of the parliament to give Transylvania to the Hungarians". In his speech, he used Hungarian language in a mocking manner: {{wikt-lang|ro|bună ziua|Bună ziua}} ['good day' in Romanian], dear Romanians; {{wikt-lang|hu|jó napot kívánok}} ['good day' in Hungarian], PSD".{{cite news |title=President Iohannis accuses PSD of fighting to give Transylvania away to Hungarians |url=https://www.agerpres.ro/english/2020/04/29/president-iohannis-accuses-psd-of-fighting-to-give-transylvania-away-to-hungarians--495619 |access-date=1 June 2020 |work=Agerpres |date=29 April 2020 |archive-date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525021643/https://www.agerpres.ro/english/2020/04/29/president-iohannis-accuses-psd-of-fighting-to-give-transylvania-away-to-hungarians--495619 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last1=Gherasim |first1=Cristian |title=Bucharest and Budapest in 'autonomy' region row |url=https://euobserver.com/political/148232 |access-date=1 June 2020 |work=EUobserver |date=4 May 2020}} On the same day, the draft was rejected in the Senate, with both PNL's and PSD's senators voting in favour of the rejection.{{cite news |author1=HH |title=Elutasította a román szenátus a Székelyföld autonómiájáról szóló törvénytervezetet |url=https://index.hu/kulfold/2020/04/29/elutasitotta_a_roman_szenatus_a_szekelyfold_autonomiajarol_szolo_torvenytervezetet/ |access-date=1 June 2020 |work=Index |date=29 April 2020 |language=hu}}{{Clarify|date=March 2025}}

The president's speech was met with widespread criticism. Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó described the statements of Iohannis as "particularly uncivilised and suitable for inciting hatred" and asked the Romanian president to show "more respect to Hungarians".{{cite news |title=Szijjártó Péter üzent a román államfőnek: "Több tiszteletet a magyaroknak!" |url=https://www.maszol.ro/index.php/kulfold/126031-szijjarto-peter-uzent-a-roman-allamf-nek-tobb-tiszteletet-a-magyaroknak |access-date=1 June 2020 |work=Maszol |date=29 April 2020 |language=hu}} In turn, Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu called Szijjártó's statements "provocative and inadequate".{{cite news |title=MAE acuză manifestări provocatoare ale părții maghiare: Deturnează afirmațiile președintelui Iohannis |url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/mae-roman-acuza-manifestari-provocatoare-ale-partii-maghiare-deturneaza-afirmatiile-presedintelui-iohannis-1299549 |access-date=1 June 2020 |work=Digi24 |date=29 April 2020 |language=ro}} In a radio interview, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also reacted to the speech, saying "we have never heard such remarks from Romania, not even in the worst, most antidemocratic, tumultuous times".{{cite news |title=Orbán Viktor reakciója Iohannis magyarellenes kirohanására: egyelőre ne vegyük fel a kesztyűt |url=https://www.maszol.ro/index.php/kulfold/126124-orban-viktor-reakcioja-iohannis-magyarellenes-kirohanasara-egyel-re-ne-vegyuk-fel-a-keszty-t |access-date=1 June 2020 |work=Maszol |date=1 May 2020 |language=hu}} The president's comments were also criticised by members of the Romanian opposition parties PSD and ALDE, but also by the confidence and supply USR (which has been supporting the PNL minority government since 2019).{{cite news |title=Elítélik a román pártok is Johannis autonómiatervezettel kapcsolatos kirohanását |url=https://www.maszol.ro/index.php/belfold/126009-elitelik-a-roman-partok-is-johannis-autonomiatervezettel-kapcsolatos-kirohanasat |access-date=1 June 2020 |work=Maszol |date=29 April 2020 |language=hu}} Iohannis was fined {{currency|5000|RON}} by the National Council for Combating Discrimination (CNCD) for discrimination and ethnicity/nationality-based violation of the right to dignity.{{cite news |title=President Iohannis fined RON 5,000 for statements regarding passage of Szeklerland autonomy bill |url=https://www.agerpres.ro/english/2020/05/20/president-iohannis-fined-ron-5-000-for-statements-regarding-passage-of-szeklerland-autonomy-bill--509056 |access-date=1 June 2020 |work=Agerpres |date=20 May 2020 |archive-date=15 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615035839/https://www.agerpres.ro/english/2020/05/20/president-iohannis-fined-ron-5-000-for-statements-regarding-passage-of-szeklerland-autonomy-bill--509056 |url-status=dead }}

{{Main|Romanians in Ukraine}}

Iohannis criticised Ukraine's 2017 education law, which makes Ukrainian the only language of education in state schools, and cancelled his visit to Kyiv in October 2017.{{cite news |title=Ukraine defends education reform as Hungary promises 'pain' |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/ukraine-defends-education-reform-as-hungary-promises-pain-1.3235916 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=27 September 2017}} Iohannis said that Ukraine's new education law "will drastically limit the access of minorities to education in their native language. We are deeply hurt by this. We have many Romanians in Ukraine".{{cite news |title=Kyiv 'Disappointed' As Romanian President Cancels Ukraine Visit Over Language Bill |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-romania-president-cancels-visit-over-language-law/28751116.html |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=22 September 2017}}

Iohannis is a supporter of the fight against corruption in Romania. Since coming to power in November 2014, has sent several messages of support to prosecutors investigating sensitive cases against politicians accused of corruption. Making one of its important position was on 25 February 2016 at the annual meeting of the National Anticorruption Directorate: "From year to year the work of the National Anticorruption Directorate has become more effective as the number of cases investigated and complexity, as well as final decisions on confiscation and recovery of property from crime. You are a model of functional institution and created a performance standard. Through the work and achievements, you've earned the appreciation of the Romanian citizens who want to live in a just society, in a country without corruption, the institutions, elect to represent them and those who perform public functions are actually serving the people. The results obtained by you in fighting corruption, appreciated and beyond Romania's borders are a guarantee that the process of strengthening democracy and the rule of law in Romania are on track. I am convinced that we will be increasingly more powerful in applying the constitutional principle that nobody is above the law and to align our established practice in countries with democracies that put the citizen at the centere of any policy", Iohannis stated.{{cite web |url=http://www.presidency.ro/ro/media/reforma-institutiilor-publice/alocutiunea-presedintelui-romaniei-domnul-klaus-iohannis-sustinuta-in-cadrul-sedintei-de-bilant-privind-activitatea-directiei-nationale-anticoruptie-pe-anul-2015 | title=Alocuțiunea Președintelui României, domnul Klaus Iohannis, susținută în cadrul ședinței de bilanț privind activitatea Direcției Naționale Anticorupție pe anul 2015 | work=presidency.ro |date=25 February 2016}}

He has rejected demands for the suspension of the head of Romania's National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), Laura Codruța Kövesi.{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-review.eu/news/iohannis-i-see-no-reason-to-suspend-dna-head-kovesi-142263|title=Iohannis: I see no reason to suspend DNA head Kovesi|date=4 July 2017|work=Business Review|access-date=31 July 2017|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.intellinews.com/pressure-on-head-of-romanian-anti-corruption-body-increases-124777/|title=Pressure on head of Romanian anti-corruption body increases|access-date=31 July 2017}}

In terms of LGBT rights and recognition of same-sex unions in Romania, Iohannis has not stated clearly his opinion:{{cite web |url=http://www.darkq.net/zi-de-zi/ce-ne-asteapta-cu-iohannis-presedinte/ |title=Ce ne aşteaptă cu Iohannis preşedinte? |work=DarkQ |date=30 November 2014}}

{{Blockquote|text=Romanian society is not yet ready for a definite answer. I won't give an answer but as a president I am willing to open up the issue for discussion. We have to accept that any minority has rights and that a majority is strong when they protect the minority.|author=Iohannis in a 2014 debate with bloggers{{cite web |url=http://www.stiripesurse.ro/ponta-i-iohannis-despre-legalizarea-casatoriilor-intre-persoanele-de-acela-i-sex_937716.html |title=Ponta și Iohannis despre legalizarea căsătoriilor între persoane de același sex |work=stiripesurse.ro |author=Roxana Popa |date=1 November 2014}}|source=}}

However, he is pleading for the acceptance of differences and diversity: "nobody should be persecuted because they belong to a different group or they are different".

Regarding the initiative to amend Article 48 of the Constitution (prohibition of gay marriage) started by the Coalition for Family ({{langx|ro|Coaliția pentru Familie}}), Iohannis reiterated the concepts of tolerance and accepting one another.{{cite web |url=http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-esential-21362678-klaus-iohannis-despre-modificarea-constitutiei-legatura-definirea-familiei-sunt-adeptul-tolerantei-este-gresit-mergem-calea-fanatismului-religios.htm |title=Klaus Iohannis despre modificarea Constitutiei in legatura cu definirea familiei: Sunt adeptul tolerantei, este gresit sa mergem pe calea fanatismului religios |work=HotNews.ro |author=Alina Neagu |date=19 October 2016|language=ro}} "It is wrong to give obedience or walk the path of religious fanaticism and ultimatum solicitations. I do not believe in them and do not support them. I believe in tolerance, trust and openness to other", said Iohannis in a press conference.{{cite web |url=http://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/social/k-iohannis-eu-sunt-adeptul-tolerantei-591905 |title=K. Iohannis: Eu sunt adeptul toleranţei |work=Digi24 |date=19 October 2016|language=ro}} Thus, Iohannis is the first top official in the country to open the discussion about same-sex marriages.{{cite web |url=http://adevarul.ro/locale/cluj-napoca/iohannis-versus-patriarhul-disputa-privind-cuplurile-homosexuale-habotnicii-religiosi-fiecare-dreptul-a-si-trai-viata-asa-crede-1_580a2f8a5ab6550cb8c690d2/index.html |title=Iohannis versus Patriarhul, în disputa privind cuplurile homosexuale şi habotnicii religioşi. "Fiecare are dreptul de a-şi trăi viaţa aşa cum crede" |work=Adevărul |author=Florina Pop |date=21 October 2016|language=ro}} His reaction was praised by international media, including The Washington Post,{{cite web |url=http://www.romanialibera.ro/actualitate/eveniment/washington-post-lauda-apelul-presedintelui-iohannis-la-toleranta-431048 |title=Washington Post laudă apelul președintelui Iohannis la toleranță, în cazul căsătoriilor între persoane de același sex. Patriarhia și Coaliția pentru Familie, indignate |work=România Liberă |author=Roxana Petre |date=20 October 2016|language=ro}}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/romanian-leader-urges-tolerance-for-same-sex-couples/2016/10/19/a2ce026c-960b-11e6-9cae-2a3574e296a6_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021050654/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/romanian-leader-urges-tolerance-for-same-sex-couples/2016/10/19/a2ce026c-960b-11e6-9cae-2a3574e296a6_story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 October 2016 |title=Romanian leader urges tolerance for same-sex couples |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=19 October 2016}} while religious and conservative organisations in Romania have criticised his position on LGBT rights.

Iohannis has said that migration "has to be controlled" and "it affects Romanian habits" and has supported stronger external European borders.{{Cite news|url=http://business-review.eu/international/president-iohannis-migration-has-to-be-controlled-we-have-to-consolidate-the-borders-of-the-union-174885|title=President Iohannis: Migration has to be controlled; We have to consolidate the borders of the Union – Business Review|last=Posirca|first=Ovidiu|date=28 June 2018|work=Business Review|access-date=15 November 2018|language=en-US}} Iohannis accepted the migration quota set for his country by the EU, but said he is still opposed to mandatory quotas being set by the Commission.{{Cite news|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/romania-supports-now-eu-refugee-decision-09-23-2015|title=Romania Changes Heart on EU Refugee Quota|access-date=15 November 2018|language=en}}

Alongside his mother tongue, German, and the language of the majority, the Romanian language, Iohannis is also fluent in English and can speak French to a certain degree. The original German spelling of his name is Johannis, but the name was registered by a Romanian official as Iohannis on his birth certificate{{cite web |date=16 November 2014 |title=Romanian presidential candidate Klaus Iohannis – a pragmatic go-getter |url=http://www.dw.de/romanian-presidential-candidate-klaus-iohannis-a-pragmatic-go-getter/a-18068149 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117191000/http://www.dw.de/romanian-presidential-candidate-klaus-iohannis-a-pragmatic-go-getter/a-18068149 |archive-date=17 November 2014 |publisher=Deutsche Welle}} and he has used both spellings interchangeably ever since.{{cite web |title=Klaus Iohannis |url=http://www.iohannispresedinte.ro/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117202906/http://www.iohannispresedinte.ro/ |archive-date=17 November 2014}}

In 1989, he married ethnic Romanian Carmen Lăzurcă, an English teacher at the Gheorghe Lazăr National College in Sibiu.{{cite web |date=16 October 2009 |title=Carmen Johannis, sfetnicul din umbra |url=http://www.evz.ro/carmen-johannis-sfetnicul-din-umbra-871880.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141125003806/http://www.evz.ro/carmen-johannis-sfetnicul-din-umbra-871880.html |archive-date=25 November 2014 |access-date=24 November 2014 |work=EVZ.ro |language=ro}}{{cite web |date=24 November 2014 |title=Klaus Johannis spune că a votat pentru normalitate |url=http://www.realitatea.net/klaus-johannis-spune-ca-a-votat-pentru-normalitate_687833.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006102701/http://www.realitatea.net/klaus-johannis-spune-ca-a-votat-pentru-normalitate_687833.html |archive-date=6 October 2014 |work=Realitatea.net}} They have no children.

Iohannis is a member of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Romania, the German-speaking Lutheran church, mainly of the Transylvanian Saxons, with a lesser presence in other parts of Romania.{{cite web |date=17 November 2014 |title=Rumniens President: Klaus Johannis gewinnt Wahl, Ponta gratuliert |trans-title=Romanian President Klaus Johannis wins election, Ponta congratulates |url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/rumaeniens-praesident-klaus-johannis-gewinnt-wahl-ponta-gratuliert-a-1003292.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141125004154/http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/rumaeniens-praesident-klaus-johannis-gewinnt-wahl-ponta-gratuliert-a-1003292.html |archive-date=25 November 2014 |publisher=Siegel Online |place=Hamburg, Germany |language=de}}

As of 2014, his parents, sister and a niece live in Würzburg.{{cite web |date=17 November 2014 |title=Rumänische Präsidentschaftswahl: Freude bei den Eltern des Siegers in Würzburg – Unterfranken – Nachrichten |url=http://www.br.de/nachrichten/unterfranken/inhalt/rumaenischer-praesident-johannis-eltern-wuerzburg-100.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141125034139/http://www.br.de/nachrichten/unterfranken/inhalt/rumaenischer-praesident-johannis-eltern-wuerzburg-100.html |archive-date=25 November 2014 |publisher=Bayerischer Rundfunk}}

Iohannis has stated that his family settled in Transylvania in present-day Romania 850 years ago, more specifically around 1500{{dubious|reason=That's 500 years ago. The first Saxons arrived some 850 yrs ago-somebody confused the two dates?|date=November 2023}} in the small town of Cisnădie ({{langx|de|link=no|Heltau}}), Sibiu County.{{cite web |author=Mădălina Mihalache |date=6 August 2014 |title=Rădăcinile străine ale candidaţilor la Preşedinţie |trans-title=Foreign roots of presidential candidates |url=http://adevarul.ro/news/politica/iohannis-adevarul-live-stramosii-venit-850-ani-transilvania-n-am-vrut-niciodata-plec-romania-1_53e20a820d133766a80e014b/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814015651/http://adevarul.ro/news/politica/iohannis-adevarul-live-stramosii-venit-850-ani-transilvania-n-am-vrut-niciodata-plec-romania-1_53e20a820d133766a80e014b/index.html |archive-date=14 August 2014 |work=Adevărul |language=ro}}

{{BLP unreferenced section|date=February 2025}}

• 2023 – {{flagicon|Germany}} German Civic Award, conferred by the Bad Harzburg Civic Foundation
• 2023 – {{flagicon|Germany}} Franz Werfel Award for Human Rights, granted by the Centre against Expulsions in Bonn, the Federal Republic of Germany
• 2020 – {{flagicon|Germany}} European Charles IV Prize of the Sudeten German Homeland Association, the Federal Republic of Germany
• 2020/2021 – {{flagicon|Germany}} Charlemagne Prize, awarded by the City of Aachen, the Federal Republic of Germany
• 2020 – {{flagicon|Germany}} The Emperor Otto Prize, awarded by the City of Magdeburg, the Federal Republic of Germany
• 2020 – {{flagicon|European Union}} European Prize Coudenhove-Kalergi, European Society Coudenhove-Kalergi
• 2019 – {{flagicon|Romania}} Medal of Honour (Goldene Ehrennadel), the Democratic Forum of Germans in Romania, Sibiu
• 2018 – {{flagicon|Germany}} Franz Josef Strauss award, Hanns Seidel Foundation, Munich, the Federal Republic of Germany
• 2017 – {{flagicon|United States}} Light Unto the Nations award, American Jewish Committee, Washington, D.C., United States of America
• 2017 – {{flagicon|Germany}} Semper Opera Ball Dresden Medal of St. George, the Federal Republic of Germany
• 2016 – {{flagicon|Germany}} Hermann Ehlers award, Hermann Ehlers Foundation, Kiel, the Federal Republic of Germany
• 2016 – {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Martin Buber-Plaque, EURIADE Foundation, Kerkrade, the Kingdom of the Netherlands
• 2010 – {{flagicon|Romania}} Friend of the Jewish Communities in Romania Medal of Honour, Sibiu, Romania
• 2010 – {{flagicon|Germany}} The German Expatriates Association Plaque of Honour

• 2023 – {{flagicon|Portugal}} Grand Collar of the Order of Liberty of the Portuguese Republic
• 2022 – {{flagicon|Lithuania}} Grand Cross of the Order for Merits to Lithuania
• 2022 – {{flagicon|Latvia}} Order of the Three Stars – Commander Grand Cross (1st class) – Republic of Latvia
• 2022 – {{flagicon|Palestine}} Grand Collar of the State of Palestine
• 2021 – {{flagicon|Estonia}} Collar of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana of the Republic of Estonia
• 2019 – {{flagicon|Romania}} Emblem of Honour of Romanian Army
• 2017 – {{flagicon|Croatia}} Grand Order of King Tomislav with Sash and Grand Star of the Republic of Croatia
• 2016 – {{flagicon|Slovakia}} Order (First Class) of the White Double Cross of the Slovak Republic
• 2016 – {{flagicon|France}} Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour of the French Republic
• 2016 – {{flagicon|Poland}} Order of the White Eagle of the Republic of Poland
• 2016 – {{flagicon|Germany}} Grand Cross (Special Class) of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
• 2016 – {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Order Stara Planina with Ribbon of the Republic of Bulgaria
• 2016 – {{flagicon|Italy}} Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
• 2016 – {{flagicon|Luxembourg}} Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
• 2016 – {{flagicon|Lithuania}} Collar (First Class) of the Order of Vytautas the Great, the Republic of Lithuania
• 2016 – Order of the Holy Sepulchre of the Patriarchate of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine and Israel
• 2016 – {{flagicon|Moldova}} Order of the Republic of Moldova
• 2015 – {{flagicon|Portugal}} Grand Collar of the Order of the Infante D. Henrique of the Portuguese Republic
• 2014 – {{flagicon|Germany}} Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
• 2011 – {{flagicon|Romania}} Knight of the National Order for Merit of Romania
• 2009 – {{flagicon|Belgium}} Officer of the Order of the Crown of the Kingdom of Belgium
• 2009 – {{flagicon|Austria}} Grand Cross Order of Merit, the Republic of Austria
• 2009 – {{flagicon|Luxembourg}} Officer of the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
• 2008 – {{flagicon|Italy}} Commander of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity of the Italian Republic
• 2007 – {{flagicon|Romania}} Knight of the National Order of the Star of Romania
• 2006 – {{flagicon|Germany}} Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany

Klaus Johannis published three books with a main focus on politics as follows:

• 2014 – Step by step ({{langx|ro|Pas cu pas}}, {{langx|de|link=no|Schritt für Schritt}}, {{ISBN|978-606-588-756-5}}), autobiographical volume and bestseller in the history of Gaudeamus International Book and Education Fair, detailing his political career as mayor of his native Sibiu ({{langx|de|link=no|Hermannstadt}}).{{cite web|url=http://www.evz.ro/cartea-lui-klaus-iohannis-bestseller-absolut-in-istoria-gaudeamus.html|title=Cartea lui Klaus Iohannis, bestseller absolut în istoria Gaudeamus|work=Evenimentul Zilei|author=Anca Simionescu|date=24 November 2014|language=ro}}{{cite journal|url=https://www.academia.edu/10166146|title=Pas cu pas|website=www.academia.edu|author=Klaus Iohannis|access-date=11 July 2020|language=ro}}
• 2015 – First step ({{langx|ro|Primul pas}}, {{langx|de|link=no|Erster Schritt}}, {{ISBN|978-606-588-831-9}}), a continuation of the volume "Step by step" which was published in 2014. The volume describes his future plans as president.{{cite web|url=http://www.romanialibera.ro/cultura/carte/-primul-pas---a-doua-carte-scrisa-de-presedintele-iohannis--cand-se-lanseaza-373925|title="Primul pas", a doua carte scrisă de preşedintele Iohannis. Când se lansează|work=România Liberă|last=Filimon|first=Paul|date=6 April 2015|language=ro}}
• 2019 – EU.RO – un dialog deschis despre Europa (EU.RO – an open dialog on Europe, {{langx|de|link=no|Ein offener Dialog über Europa}}), an introductory and statistical volume on the European Union (EU){{cite book|url=https://www.cartepedia.ro/carte/stiinte-umaniste/politica-si-relatii-internationale/klaus-iohannis/euro-un-dialog-deschis-despre-europa-61697.html|title=EU.RO. Un dialog deschis despre Europa de Klaus Iohannis|date=19 October 2017 |access-date= 14 July 2020|language=ro}}

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• {{Official website}}
• {{Facebook|klausiohannis}}
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{{Klaus Iohannis}}

{{Heads of State of Romania}}

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Category:1959 births

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