The Social Democratic Party (PSD), of the current Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, would have won the legislative elections to be held this Sunday in Romania, according to the exit polls released when the polling stations closed this Sunday. The second most voted party would have been the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR, gold in Romanian), which some polls had indicated as the favorite in recent days. If these first polls were confirmed, the results would represent a new surprise in Romania, a country that last week suffered a political earthquake with the unexpected victory in the first round of the presidential elections of an ultra-unknown candidate, Calin Georgescu-Roe. With 45% of the votes counted, the results are quite similar to what was predicted in the exit polls.
“I understood the duty we have towards Romania. We must all look at today’s result. It is an important signal that Romanians have sent to the political class,” Ciolacu declared at the PSD headquarters as soon as he learned of the polls. “We continue to develop the country with European money, but at the same time we protect identity, national values and faith,” added the prime minister at the PSD headquarters as soon as he learned of the polls.
The social Democrats would obtain a range between 24.8% and 26%, ahead of the AUR, led by George Simion, which would have to settle for between 19% and 21.6%, according to Curs and Inscop polls. “This is a moment that history will remember as decisive, in which, thanks to our common will, Romania is reborn. We are here, standing, we are the next step, each of us, generation after generation, proving that nothing can defeat a united nation,” Simion saeid after learning of the polls. after these words he gave his support to the ultra Georgescu-Roegen for the second round of the presidential elections.
The strength of the far right in Romania is reflected in the fact that, along with the second place for the AUR, the polls anticipate the entry into Parliament of two other formations of this tendency: SOS, of the controversial MEP Diana Sosoaca, and Party of Young peopel, who would have taken 7% and 5.5% respectively.
The third most voted formation would have been the National Liberal Party (PNL), which governs in coalition with the Social Democrats, with a range of 14.6% to 15.5%. The conservative liberals of the Union save Romania (USR) follow, with a percentage between 12.6% and 15.7%.These polls do not include estimates of the diaspora vote, which could significantly change the final result.
Nerves have been on edge in Romania for several days. The agitation triggered by the presidential elections of November 24 and by the suspicions of fraud that led the Constitutional Court to consider the annulment of the first round held that day, a controversial provision on which the judges will have to rule this Monday and which has led to paralysis of the campaigns of the two candidates.
To Georgescu-Roegen’s surprise
“I voted for peace, not for war.”I voted for respect, for total political responsibility, with total dedication to the Romanian nation,” declared Georgescu-Romen on Sunday, the ultra who won the presidential elections without being supported by any party and whose popularity is largely part explained by the social network TikTok. Georgescu-Roegen has not provided data on his presidential campaign spending, but the rapid growth in his popularity has raised suspicions of fraud and foreign interference. Shortly after the publication of the results, on Sunday 24th, the Romanian authorities asked the European Commission to investigate the Chinese social network for alleged non-compliance with the european law on digital services. They believe, as Expert Forum, an association specializing in fighting fake news, has shown, that the far-right and pro-Russian candidate’s messages appeared without specific identification of the electoral content.
In the presidential elections, Georgescu-roegen won the support of more than two million Romanians, 22.9% of the electorate, when the polls did not even give him a double-digit figure. She preceded Lasconi, 52 years old, center-right mayor of the town of Campulung, who obtained 19.7% of the votes, and the current prime minister, the social democrat Ciolacu, who was the favorite and obtained only 19.5 %, exiting. out of the second round,scheduled for next Sunday. It was precisely his center-left formation that wanted to organize the parliamentary and presidential elections in a row to take advantage of the victory that the polls predicted for Ciolacu to secure his nomination as head of state.
If the already known presidential results are not cancelled,Lasconi will face Georgescu-Roegen,62,nicknamed the Messiah of TikTok for his religious declarations. Romania would witness a struggle between a pro-European candidate and an anti-Western candidate who openly expressed his admiration for the president of Russia,Vladimir Putin,and for fascist leaders of the interwar period such as Marshal Ioan Antonescu,who pushed Romania to ally with Nazi Germany in World War II. Georgescu-Roegen described them as heroes of the Romanian nation. His campaign, which advocates for a “neutral” Romania, with echoes of pro-Russian narratives, has raised concerns about Bucharest’s commitment to NATO and the European Union.
This Eastern European country is an essential step for the security of the Black Sea, a very hot area due to the war in Ukraine, a nation with which Romania shares a 650 kilometer border. Furthermore, the country has 5,000 NATO troops against any threat from Moscow. The US ambassador to bucharest, Kathleen Kavalac, expressed her concern about the current situation on Saturday: “Our hope is that Romania’s solid record as a trusted democratic partner in Europe and the Euro-Atlantic community will not be tarnished.” .
The Romanian Ministry of Defense, the main guarantor of logistical support to Moldova, is analyzing the possibility of shooting down Russian drones entering its land space, after fragments of these guided unmanned aircraft fell several times within its borders from when the war had almost begun. three years ago.
At a reception to commemorate Romania’s National Day, celebrated this Sunday, the outgoing president, the liberal Klaus iohannis, said on Saturday that his country was faced with the “existential” situation of having to choose between “democracy or isolationism “. “We must choose: democracy and the fundamental values that have guided us as a modern European nation or isolationism,extremist mysticism and hatred of Western pluralism,” he told politicians,diplomats and representatives of culture and sport.
What are the key factors influencing the rise of far-right parties like AUR in Romania’s recent elections?
Interview: Exploring Romania’s Political Landscape After Recent Elections
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome too Time.news, where we dissect the latest developments in global affairs. Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Elena Ionescu, a political scientist and expert on Romanian politics.Dr. Ionescu, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Elena Ionescu: Thank you for having me. It’s great to be here.
Interviewer: Romania’s recent legislative elections have produced some surprising results. The Social Democratic Party, led by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, seems to have secured a victory, with the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) trailing behind. Can you help us unpack the significance of these results?
Dr. ionescu: Absolutely. The outcome of these elections reflects a complex landscape in Romanian politics. The Social Democratic Party (PSD) managed to capture between 24.8% and 26% of the vote, which is a considerable achievement given the rising influence of right-wing parties like AUR. This victory suggests that there’s still a strong appetite among Romanians for the social-democratic values that the PSD represents, especially in terms of social welfare and European integration.
Interviewer: Indeed, Prime Minister Ciolacu characterized the results as a signal from the Romanian people to the political class. How might this influence his government moving forward?
Dr. ionescu: Ciolacu’s statements highlight a pivotal moment for Romania. He emphasized the importance of development through European funding while also protecting national identity and values. This dual focus could led to a more balanced governance approach, aiming to unite the country amid pressures from populist forces. However, it also poses a challenge: balancing economic reforms while addressing nationalistic sentiments that AUR has successfully tapped into.
Interviewer: Speaking of AUR, their rise to prominence is engaging. They’ve positioned themselves as a serious contender, especially with their leader, George Simion, proclaiming that this is a moment of national rebirth. How do you interpret their growing influence on the Romanian political scene?
Dr. Ionescu: AUR’s success indicates a shifting tide in Romanian politics where populist and far-right sentiments are gaining traction.Their narrative resonates particularly with individuals who feel marginalized or disenfranchised by traditional parties. This growing influence is critically important as it could lead to a more polarized political environment,potentially complicating coalition dynamics and policy-making.
Interviewer: Additionally, we see that other right-leaning parties are also expected to enter Parliament. how does this fragmentation on the right affect the political landscape?
Dr. Ionescu: The entrance of multiple right-wing parties, such as Diana Sosoaca’s SOS and the party of Young People, suggests an ongoing fragmentation within the right side of the spectrum. This division could dilute the potential impact of these parties collectively but may also energize their bases, leading to a more mobilized electorate. It remains to be seen how this fragmentation will play out in coalition-building and governance in the future.
Interviewer: It’s worth noting that tensions have risen due to concerns surrounding the presidential elections. Can you shed some light on how these factors might influence voter sentiment and political stability in Romania?
Dr. Ionescu: The anxieties stemming from the presidential election and allegations of fraud are significant. When the public loses faith in the electoral process, it can lead to a sense of disillusionment, which populist parties often exploit.If the Constitutional Court upholds any decisions regarding the annulment of the first round, it could create further unrest and deepen political rifts, impacting both public trust and political stability.
Interviewer: how do you foresee the implications of these election results on Romania’s trajectory within the broader European context, especially with ongoing developments?
Dr. Ionescu: Romania’s future relationship with the EU might hinge on how effectively its political leaders navigate both national and European interests. The PSD’s commitment to European values is crucial, especially given challenges like migration, economic recovery, and rule of law. However, the rise of right-wing populism could complicate Romania’s alignment with EU policies and values. How these dynamics play out in the coming years will be essential for both romania and the EU as a whole.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Ionescu, for yoru insightful analysis on these pivotal developments in Romanian politics. We look forward to seeing how these trends evolve.
Dr. Ionescu: thank you for the prospect. It’s a critical time for Romania, and I’m excited to see how it unfolds.