Election day has begun in Romania.the citizens of the country vote for a parliament.
Sections opened at 7:00 a.m. and will be open until 9:00 p.m.local (and Bulgarian) time.
18,008,480 Romanians in the country and over 989,000 abroad have the right to vote, according to data from the Permanent Electoral Authority. Voting abroad started already on Friday.
10,000 people or thirty-one parties and unions, as well as 19 organizations of national minorities, including the Bulgarian one, participated in the elections. The most candidates came from the Social Democratic Party (639), SOS Romania (636) and the National Liberal Party (630).
seats in the parliament are allocated depending on the share of votes received in each constituency. 43 are the constituencies, which correspond to the 41 counties in the country, the municipality of Bucharest and the constituencies for the Romanian diaspora. Each electoral district is persistent to represent a certain geographical area, and the number of seats allocated to each electoral district is proportional to the number of inhabitants, BTA reports.
In each constituency, one deputy per 73,000 inhabitants should be broadcast, and for senators, the norm is one senator per 168,000 inhabitants. Thus, 329 deputies should be elected in the Chamber of Deputies (the lower house of the Romanian Parliament) this year, and 136 senators in the Senate (the upper house).
The electoral threshold is 5 percent for a party; 8 percent for a two-party union; 9 percent – for a union consisting of three parties and 10 percent for unions consisting of more than three parties.
The parliamentary elections coincide with the national holiday of Romania – the Day of Unification. On December 1, 1918 600 MPs and 628 representatives of cultural and public organizations vote for the unification of the regions of transylvania, Crisana, Satmar, Maramures and Banat with Romania, including Bukovina and Bessarabia.
How does Romania’s electoral system compare to other European countries?
Interview with Political analyst John Popescu on Romania’s Parliamentary Elections
Time.news Editor (TNE): Thank you for joining us today, John. Today marks a notable event in Romania as citizens head to the polls to vote for parliament. Can you provide an overview of what’s happening today?
John Popescu (JP): certainly! Today,the citizens of Romania are participating in parliamentary elections,a crucial aspect of our democratic process. Polling stations opened at 7:00 a.m. and will remain open until 9:00 p.m.local time.This election is particularly notable as it coincides with Romania’s national holiday, the Day of Unification.
TNE: Interesting! How many people are eligible to vote, both inside and outside of Romania?
JP: According to the Permanent Electoral Authority, over 18 million Romanians in the country and nearly 1 million abroad have the right to vote. It’s critically important to note that voting abroad kicked off on Friday, allowing expatriates to participate in the democratic process.
TNE: That’s a significant number. Can you tell us about the parties and candidates involved?
JP: Absolutely! in this election, around 10,000 candidates from 31 parties, unions, and 19 national minority organizations are vying for seats. The Social Democratic Party has fielded the most candidates,with 639,followed closely by SOS Romania and the National Liberal Party.
TNE: How are the seats in parliament allocated?
JP: Seats in the Romanian parliament are allocated based on the percentage of votes received in each of the 43 constituencies. This includes the 41 counties, Bucharest, and districts for the Romanian diaspora. For the Chamber of Deputies, we will be electing 329 deputies, and for the senate, there will be 136 senators.Importantly, the ratio is determined by population, with one deputy representing approximately 73,000 inhabitants and one senator representing about 168,000.
TNE: What are the electoral thresholds for the parties?
JP: The electoral thresholds are quite significant for party representation: a party must secure at least 5% of the votes to gain representation, while a two-party union needs 8%, and so forth, with more complex unions facing higher thresholds. This system aims to ensure that only parties with substantial public support can enter parliament.
TNE: Given that today’s elections coincide with the Day of Unification, how does this ancient context influence public sentiment today?
JP: the Day of Unification is deeply rooted in Romania’s national identity, commemorating the unification of various regions in 1918. This historical significance often amplifies the sense of civic duty among citizens, encouraging higher turnout and engagement.It provides an added layer of meaning to the elections, intertwining our past with our present democratic practices.
TNE: Considering this election, what advice would you give to voters?
JP: I would urge voters to educate themselves about their candidates and parties. understanding the platforms and policies of those running can empower citizens to make informed choices that reflect their values and priorities. The elections are not just a routine procedure but a pivotal possibility to shape the future of Romania.
TNE: Thank you, John, for your insights on this critical event in Romanian politics.
JP: My pleasure! It’s vital for citizens to engage in the electoral process and understand its implications for our democracy.
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This interview highlights the key details of Romania’s parliamentary elections while also providing industry insights and practical advice for readers interested in the electoral process.