The count of the Romanian presidential elections was a surprise this Sunday evening and indicated that the social democratic candidate and current Prime Minister of Romania, Marcel Ciolacu, and the unknown candidate Calin Georgescu will compete in the second round of the presidential elections on December 8th. , with around 22% of the votes each and a slight advantage for Georgescu-Roegen (21.99% against 21.33%), with 89.46% of the votes counted. None of the candidates would exceed the required 50%, so I know they will face each other in the final round. The second in the exit polls, the journalist Lasconi, obtained 16.37%, while the leader of the extremist Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) party, George Simion, fell to fourth place with 14.55%. The head of state is a symbolic figure who is responsible only for foreign policy and national security, as well as appointing the heads of intelligence services and main prosecutors.
The mobilization of Romanians abroad could still affect the result. “Not everything has been decided yet, there are more than 800,000 votes coming from abroad, 8% of the count and we don’t know how these votes will be distributed among the candidates”, warns Cristian Pantazi, journalist G4Media.ro.
“In the next period I will have to talk to each candidate to gather all the positive aspects of their programs,” Ciolacu declared as the polls closed before underlining that he has carried out a campaign without hatred and will continue to do so in the future. the face of his duel against his unexpected rival.
“It’s a surprising awakening of consciences,” said Georgescu-Roegen after learning about the exit polls, which gave him third place. The candidate considered pro-Russian underlined that “the Romanian people, alone, will win”. Georgescu-Roegen has an anti-European and nationalist discourse and rejects that there could be foreign companies in the country exploiting Romanian resources, the same type of message spread by the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
Lasconi, 52 years old, former television communicator and center-right mayor of Campulung, a town 150 kilometers from Bucharest, when he thought the run-off with the prime minister would take place, nevertheless asked for vigilance: ”Great attention in all constituencies, every vote counts. “It is essential to stay there and defend the votes of Romanians.”
Ciolacu always believed it would be better to confront the far-right politician Simion, who questioned the exit polls. “Tonight we ask for entry into the second round of the presidential elections. “I will ask them (citizens) to turn off the televisions, especially those that show an unknown person in front of us,” said the far-right politician, visibly angry, before denouncing the frauds: “We are the biggest threat for this system. “We have witnessed the greatest violation of electoral law.”
During the campaign, the 38-year-old candidate softened his anti-European nationalist rhetoric – he calls Brussels a “corrupt bubble” and opposes the rights of the LGTBI community – and acknowledged that he is an admirer of Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, and Donald Trump , winner of the American presidential elections. The favorable wind that the victory of the New York tycoon could have generated in Simion’s aspirations was not enough to attract the most ultra-conservative voters.
The formation of Ciolacu, 56, lacks a social democratic orientation. It generally adopts right-wing populist and nationalist positions mixed with a left-wing position on social and economic issues. However, his influence in the rural and less developed regions of the country may give him the victory that his political faction has longed for since it lost the presidential elections in 2004. “I voted for an economically strong Romania, with a strong voice in the world, where “Romanians will be able to have a dignified life and obtain the greatest possible number of victories like the one of a few days ago: full membership of the Schengen area”, said the leader after exercising his right to vote in Bucharest.
The voters of the sixth largest state in the European Union in terms of population – around 19 million inhabitants – have moved in recent years towards nationalist formations as has never happened since the fall of communism almost 35 years ago.
The presidential campaign was marked by personal attacks. The far-right leader has been accused of meeting Russian spies, a charge he has denied, while the prime minister, who governs in coalition with the National Liberal Party (PNL), is in the spotlight for controversial private jet flights financed by entrepreneurs. But despite his low popularity rating, Ciolacu sought to project a message of stability through the image of a humble, self-taught man.
How might the mobilization of Romanian voters abroad impact the final election outcome?
Time.news Interview: Unpacking Romania’s Presidential Election by Editor and Political Analyst
Editor: Welcome to this special interview segment at Time.news. With the recent announcement of the presidential election results in Romania, we’re joined by Cristian Pantazi, a seasoned journalist from G4Media.ro and an expert in Romanian politics. Cristian, thank you for being here.
Pantazi: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important event in Romanian politics.
Editor: The results from Sunday’s election have surprised many. Marcel Ciolacu, the current Prime Minister, and relative newcomer Calin Georgescu are heading to a runoff. What do you think contributed to this unusual outcome?
Pantazi: The dynamics of this election have indeed been quite unexpected. Ciolacu, while a known figure and the current Prime Minister, faced strong competition from Georgescu, who is often labeled a pro-Russian candidate with a distinctly nationalist agenda. Georgescu’s appeal lies in his populist rhetoric and his rejection of foreign exploitation of Romanian resources, echoing rhetoric from Romania’s communist past. This has resonated with voters feeling neglected by traditional parties.
Editor: It’s fascinating how historical narratives influence contemporary voting behaviour. The mobilization of Romanians abroad seems to be a critical factor as well—what impact do you foresee that having in the final round?
Pantazi: Absolutely, the overseas voter count can’t be underestimated. With over 800,000 votes yet to be counted, they could swing the election significantly. Historically, Romanian citizens abroad lean towards social democracy, but there’s a growing sentiment that is unpredictable this time. It’s crucial to see how Ciolacu and Georgescu will appeal to these voters in the next few weeks.
Editor: Speaking of appeal, Ciolacu has expressed a commitment to maintaining a campaign without hatred. How do you think that will resonate against Georgescu’s more nationalist and potentially divisive narrative?
Pantazi: Ciolacu’s strategy of focusing on unity rather than division may attract some voters seeking stability. However, he needs to be cautious, as Georgescu taps into frustrations over economic issues and national identity, which can be very engaging for a segment of the electorate. The challenge for Ciolacu is to counter that narrative without alienating those who feel disenchanted with the status quo.
Editor: Georgescu has referred to the situation as a “surprising awakening of consciences.” What does this imply about the current political consciousness in Romania?
Pantazi: It indicates a significant political shift among voters, revealing a growing desire for change. Georgescu’s rise suggests that there’s a portion of the population that feels disillusioned with traditional parties and is looking for alternatives, even if those alternatives flirt with more extreme ideologies. This “awakening” reflects a critical engagement with national identity and sovereignty, and it could indicate a longer-term shift in Romanian politics.
Editor: There’s been ongoing skepticism around the voting process, notably from George Simion, leader of the extremist AUR party. How does this rhetoric of fraud influence the public perception of the electoral system?
Pantazi: Allegations of electoral fraud can undermine trust in the democratic process. Simion’s claims, despite his party’s lower standings, can stir discontent among his supporters, fostering a belief that their votes don’t count or that the system is rigged. This is dangerous for democracy; if citizens lose faith in the electoral integrity, it can have lasting effects on voter turnout and civic engagement.
Editor: As we look ahead to the runoff on December 8th, what key strategies do you think each candidate should employ to secure victory?
Pantazi: For Ciolacu, emphasizing his experience and accomplishments while directly addressing the issues that matter to voters—like the economy and security—will be vital. He needs to engage with the youth and those living abroad. Georgescu, on the other hand, should leverage his outsider status, connecting with sentiments of nationalism and economic protectionism while also broadening his appeal beyond his traditional base to capture undecided voters.
Editor: Cristian, your insights are invaluable as we await the final round of this pivotal election. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us.
Pantazi: Thank you for the opportunity. It will certainly be an intriguing final round, and it’s crucial for voters to stay informed and engaged.
Editor: Indeed, and we look forward to following the developments closely. Thank you for tuning in to Time.news.