Bucharest (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The pro-Western alliance led by the Social Democratic Party would likely have sufficient seats in parliament to form a new Romanian government.
In Romania’s parliamentary votes, preliminary outcomes after 99.45% of the votes counted showed that the ruling pro-European Social Democratic Party (PSD) has assured victory. The Election is the second of three consecutive votes for both a new parliament and a new president after the first round of the presidential vote on Nov. 24 witnessed an independent far-right candidate, Calin Georgescu, arise from relative anonymity to become the frontrunner.
Who is leading in Romania’s parliamentary elections?
As reported by sources, the Social Democratic Party (PSD) obtained 22.6% of the votes, while the Alliance for the Union of Romanians obtained 18.2%. Meanwhile, the centrist opposition group Save Romania Union received 12.1%, the liberals 14.4%, and smaller far-right groups (SOS and POT) earned 7.6% and 6.3%, respectively. The political force representing ethnic Hungarians, UDMR, obtained 6.5%.
Why are these elections critical for Romania’s future direction?
The elections are witnessed as crucial to the future direction of Romania, hitherto a dedicated EU and NATO partner that is strategically crucial for Western support for Ukraine. It has largely avoided nationalism since arising from communism in 1989. Amid general voter anger over the expense of living and a legacy of corruption among its mainstream groups, observers had expressed that the far right, led by the AUR, was likely to profit most from the chaos, which has further dented trust in state institutions.
Romania has the EU’s largest share of people at risk of poverty, the bloc’s highest inflation rate and its enormous budget deficit. Far-right parties have utilised Romania’s strong backing of Ukraine to stoke worries that the war could spill over the border unless the government halts its support, as well as foster resentment over alleged preferential treatment for refugees from Ukraine.
