Romania's political shift: Right-wing surge in elections
After counting votes from over 99% of the commissions in Sunday's parliamentary elections in Romania, the Social Democratic Party (PSD) is in first place with 22.7%, and the radically right-wing Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) is in second with 18%. Two other far-right parties, S.O.S Romania and the Party of Young People (POT), will also enter parliament.
After counting votes from 99.13% of the commissions, the National Liberal Party (PNL), with 14.4%, which was PSD's previous coalition partner in government, and the centre-right Save Romania Union (USR), with 12%, are in third and fourth place.
Above the threshold are the far-right S.O.S Romania with 7.6% and POT with 6.2%.
With a result of 6.5%, the Hungarian minority party, UDMR, will also enter parliament.
The number of deputies and senators in the Romanian political system is determined based on specific formulas that consider the population size. Currently, the Romanian parliament consists of 136 senators and 329 deputies. There will be 136 senators and 330 deputies in the newly elected assembly.
The voting occurred in 42 constituencies within the country and an additional constituency for citizens living abroad.
The electoral threshold in the parliamentary elections is 5% for parties and 8% for two-party alliances.
Political earthquake after presidential elections
In the first round of the presidential elections, which took place on Sunday, 24 November, the first place was taken by a representative of the radical right, independent candidate Colin Georgescu. This previously little-known politician quickly gained popularity through a broad campaign on the TikTok platform.
Elena Lasconi, head of the centre-right Save Romania Union (USR), came in second place. The second round of elections will be held on 8 December.
“I know I made mistakes. I ask for your forgiveness,” said Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, who will soon end his term, in a speech on Romania's National Day on Sunday, 1 December. He urged fellow citizens to vote to maintain Romania's European and Euro-Atlantic path in the elections.
