Social Democrats lead Romania vote but far-right parties post big gains
Romania's ruling Social Democrats (PSD) looked set to win the most votes in a parliamentary election on Sunday, ahead of a resurgent far-right movement challenging the country's pro-Western orientation, an exit poll showed.
Issued on: 01/12/2024 -
By: NEWS WIRES
Romania's ruling Social Democrats (PSD) looked set to win the most votes in a parliamentary election on Sunday, ahead of a resurgent far-right movement challenging the country's pro-Western orientation, an exit poll showed.
Issued on: 01/12/2024 -
By: NEWS WIRES
01:34
Romania has been gripped by chaos after a top court ordered a recount of the first round of the presidential ballot. © Daniel Mihailescu, AFP
Romania's ruling Social Democrats (PSD) were leading in Sunday's parliamentary elections, but the far right secured big gains, exit polling found, deepening uncertainty in a country rocked by political chaos.
Shortly after the end of voting at 9:00 pm (1900 GMT), the PSD was credited with 26 percent of the vote, ahead of the other parties, according to the poll published by local media.
However, all the far-right parties combined stood at about 30 percent.
If confirmed by official results expected later in the evening, it would indicate a fragmented parliament as well as difficult negotiations to form a government.
The parliamentary vote comes at a time of political turmoil sparked when a top court ordered a recount of the first round of Romania's November 24 presidential election.
Last week's first-round presidential ballot was won by Calin Georgescu, a little-known far-right admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin. A run-off is slated for December 8.
The far right's surprise success has raised fears in the West that it could potentially herald a shift in the foreign policy of the NATO country and EU member, which borders Ukraine.
"It is an important signal that Romanians have sent to the political class," said Social Democrat Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu after the exit poll was published, adding that the country should continue on its European path, while "protecting our identity, national values and faith".
Earlier on Sunday, several voters like Dorina Burcea voiced concern that Romania might turn away from its pro-European path.
"As someone who lived a little bit under communism and still remembers it – and at the same time could enjoy all this openness of the European Union, to be able to go to other countries – I can't imagine how we could have another option than the EU and NATO," the 41-year-old told AFP.
Voter turnout stood at 52 percent after polls closed, a record high in 20 years.
'New era'
Romania's far-right parties – which oppose sending aid to Ukraine – welcomed the results of the exit poll.
"Today the Romanian people voted for the pro-sovereignty forces," said far-right AUR leader George Simion, who had won nearly 14 percent of the presidential vote.
"It is the beginning of a new era in which the Romanian people reclaim the right to decide their destiny," he added.
Romania's ruling Social Democrats (PSD) were leading in Sunday's parliamentary elections, but the far right secured big gains, exit polling found, deepening uncertainty in a country rocked by political chaos.
Shortly after the end of voting at 9:00 pm (1900 GMT), the PSD was credited with 26 percent of the vote, ahead of the other parties, according to the poll published by local media.
However, all the far-right parties combined stood at about 30 percent.
If confirmed by official results expected later in the evening, it would indicate a fragmented parliament as well as difficult negotiations to form a government.
The parliamentary vote comes at a time of political turmoil sparked when a top court ordered a recount of the first round of Romania's November 24 presidential election.
Last week's first-round presidential ballot was won by Calin Georgescu, a little-known far-right admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin. A run-off is slated for December 8.
The far right's surprise success has raised fears in the West that it could potentially herald a shift in the foreign policy of the NATO country and EU member, which borders Ukraine.
"It is an important signal that Romanians have sent to the political class," said Social Democrat Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu after the exit poll was published, adding that the country should continue on its European path, while "protecting our identity, national values and faith".
Earlier on Sunday, several voters like Dorina Burcea voiced concern that Romania might turn away from its pro-European path.
"As someone who lived a little bit under communism and still remembers it – and at the same time could enjoy all this openness of the European Union, to be able to go to other countries – I can't imagine how we could have another option than the EU and NATO," the 41-year-old told AFP.
Voter turnout stood at 52 percent after polls closed, a record high in 20 years.
'New era'
Romania's far-right parties – which oppose sending aid to Ukraine – welcomed the results of the exit poll.
"Today the Romanian people voted for the pro-sovereignty forces," said far-right AUR leader George Simion, who had won nearly 14 percent of the presidential vote.
"It is the beginning of a new era in which the Romanian people reclaim the right to decide their destiny," he added.
The far-right AUR party, whose leader George Simion is a fan of Donald Trump, topped the most recent polls. © Daniel Mihailescu, AFP
The extreme-right SOS Romania party, led by firebrand Diana Sosoaca, and the recently founded Party of Young People (POT), were each credited with more than five percent of the vote and are expected to enter parliament.
Since the fall of Communism in 1989, the country of 19 million people has never seen such a breakthrough by the far right. But anger over soaring inflation and fears of being dragged into Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine have mounted.
For George Sorin, a 45-year-old economist in Bucharest, the current parliament had mostly served the interests of Ukraine by sending aid and had prioritised the European Union over "national interests".
In the opposing pro-EU camp, the centrist USR party, led by Elena Lasconi – who placed second in the presidential ballot – secured 15 percent of the vote, just like the liberals.
Russian interference
The parliamentary election took place at a delicate time, with the top court's order to recount the ballots of the first round of the presidential election causing widespread confusion.
After casting his vote in the city of Focsani, AUR leader Simion alleged that some people were "trying to repeat the (presidential) election to get the outcome they desire".
"Last Sunday, the Romanian people spoke," he said, insisting the result of the presidential vote should be respected.
"No decision made during this crucial period should limit the right of Romanians to vote freely nor further put at risk the credibility of the election process," said the US Embassy in Romania.
According to Septimius Parvu of the Expert Forum think tank, the recount order by Romania's Constitutional Court had "many negative effects", including undermining confidence in Romanian institutions.
"We've already recounted votes in Romania in the past, but not millions of votes, with parliamentary elections in the middle of it all," Parvu said.
(AFP)
The extreme-right SOS Romania party, led by firebrand Diana Sosoaca, and the recently founded Party of Young People (POT), were each credited with more than five percent of the vote and are expected to enter parliament.
Since the fall of Communism in 1989, the country of 19 million people has never seen such a breakthrough by the far right. But anger over soaring inflation and fears of being dragged into Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine have mounted.
For George Sorin, a 45-year-old economist in Bucharest, the current parliament had mostly served the interests of Ukraine by sending aid and had prioritised the European Union over "national interests".
In the opposing pro-EU camp, the centrist USR party, led by Elena Lasconi – who placed second in the presidential ballot – secured 15 percent of the vote, just like the liberals.
Russian interference
The parliamentary election took place at a delicate time, with the top court's order to recount the ballots of the first round of the presidential election causing widespread confusion.
After casting his vote in the city of Focsani, AUR leader Simion alleged that some people were "trying to repeat the (presidential) election to get the outcome they desire".
"Last Sunday, the Romanian people spoke," he said, insisting the result of the presidential vote should be respected.
"No decision made during this crucial period should limit the right of Romanians to vote freely nor further put at risk the credibility of the election process," said the US Embassy in Romania.
According to Septimius Parvu of the Expert Forum think tank, the recount order by Romania's Constitutional Court had "many negative effects", including undermining confidence in Romanian institutions.
"We've already recounted votes in Romania in the past, but not millions of votes, with parliamentary elections in the middle of it all," Parvu said.
(AFP)
By AFP
November 30, 2024
A vendor fills a bag with carrots at Piata Obor marketplace in Bucharest - Copyright AFP CHANDAN KHANNA
Fulya OZERKAN and Octavian COMAN
In a working class neighborhood of Bucharest, pensioners like Ana Sandu wait for the afternoon to buy food when prices are lower, as inflation dampens hopes of a better life in the EU state heading into key elections.
Traditionally loyal to the Social Democrats, the 65-year-old Sandu has little faith that any government will offer a remedy. She hinted at favouring far-right contender Calin Georgescu in a presidential runoff vote on December 8.
Living on a monthly pension of about $400, suffering from diabetes and with a husband suffering from Parkinson’s disease, Sandu depends on money sent by her son working abroad.
Romania is one of Europe’s poorest countries and she spends more than 300 lei ($60) just on medicine and at least $150 on electricity, water and other utilities.
“I don’t even think about buying meat. I buy vegetables,” she said.
“I come to the bazaar in the afternoon because it’s cheaper,” she said showing a bag of grapes that cost just 6 lei ($1).
While Romania’s inflation has fallen from 10 percent last year, it remains high with consumer prices at an annual rate of 5.1 percent in October, according to the EU statistics office.
Far-right politicians are banking on voter anger about the economy amid the political uncertainity after Georgescu’s shock win in the first-round of the presidential election.
Romania is bracing for a legislative election on Sunday plus the run-off vote between Georgescu, an admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and a pro-European centrist contender.
Romania’s constitutional court could still cancel the December 8 vote.
-‘Need more time’-
“All these elections are very important for the future and for solving one of the key economic problems of Romania these days, that is inflation,” Cristian Valeriu Paun, professor of international finance at the University of Economic Studies in Bucharest, told AFP.
He said inflation was deeply linked to Romania’s excessive deficit. The debt to GDP ratio is close to 55 percent now and worsening day by day.
There are solutions like clamping down the limitation of tax evasion and the acceleration of reforms as well as market liberalisation and privatisation of state-owned companies, he said.
“Unfortunately, all these logical solutions need more time than Romania has and a very determined government and parliament that could implement them with determination.”
Radu Burnete, executive director at the Concordia confederation of private companies in Romania, said Romania’s budget deficit must be dealt with “urgently” but added “no candidate spoke openly about this elephant in the room”.
-‘Hoping for better’-
For Burnete, Georgescu’s first-round win was driven by economic woes and factors ranging from the poor quality of public services, to the weak bureaucracy and poor management of state-owned companies.
“As frustration mounted and mainstream candidates failed to convince, a new face became appealing to a large segment of the population, despite the complete lack of economic sense in their political platform,” he said.
He said Romania’s future lies in the EU and NATO but it must also better handle its economy.
“Romania urgently needs reforms that require political will and commitment to navigate the current economic challenges,” he told AFP.
Back in the market, Adrian Dragnea, married with a three-year-old son, also wanted a better life.
“We are not on the edge of survival but certainly this is not what we want out of life,” he said.
The 39-year-old said he understood that Romania’s economic problems would not be solved overnight.
“We will go through a rough patch … People expect everything will be rosy in one day but that’s a long-term thing,” he said.
“It’s certainly not easy to see others living from one day to the next in a precarious situation, but you can’t really help other than going to the polls and hoping for better.”
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