Bucharest (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Romanians vote in a parliamentary election in which the far right is predicted to gain.
Parliamentary elections are being conducted in Romania on 1 December 2024. As reported by local authorities, voting started at 7 a.m. (0500GMT) and will last until 9 p.m. for 19.5 million qualified voters. Contenders from 31 parties, alliances, and 19 organizations of national minorities will contest for a new government and prime minister and determine the shape of the country’s legislature, comprising the 323-seat lower house and the senate (133 seats). Romanians will elect lawmakers for both chambers.
Romania has a proportional system in 43 electoral constituencies, which conform to the 41 counties in Romania, the municipality of Bucharest, and the constituency for the diaspora.
Each constituency is established to represent a geographical location, and the number of mandates assigned to each constituency is proportionate to the number of residents. Political parties must surpass the electoral threshold of 5% at the national level or at least 20% of votes in four constituencies to succeed seats in parliament.Â
Which party will emerge dominant in Romanian elections?
According to surveys, the latest prediction is that the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the more prominent partner of the ruling coalition, is racing with around 25% and right-wing populist, the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), tracks with 21%.
The central-right Save Romania Union (USR) is expected to be the third-largest party with about 16%, followed by another central-right National Liberal Party (PRL) with about 14%. The central-right Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) and far-right SOS Romania are also predicted to reach the 5% threshold and succeed seats in parliament.
