 Before his election as hospodar, he was seen as an opponent of his predecessor, Alexandru II Ghica.On January 1, 1843, the first (and only) elections carried out in accordance with the "Organic Statute" took place in Wallachia; these were carried out by a representative assembly, and had been prompted by Ghica's abuse.Of many candidates, Bibescu and his older brother, Barbu Ştirbei, were the most popular choices with Imperial Russia.