Romania’s Parliamentary Elections Yield Shift Toward Far-Right
Bucharest, Romania – The results from Romania’s parliamentary elections indicate that pro-Western parties have secured a majority of votes, leading them to seek a coalition government amid a notable rise in support for far-right nationalists. This electoral shift has raised concerns about the growing influence of these nationalist factions within the European Union member state.
In the electoral outcomes released on Monday, the left-leaning Social Democratic Party emerged as the frontrunner during the Sunday voting, with the far-right nationalist Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) following closely. The National Liberal Party ranked third, while the reformist Save Romania Union (USR) claimed the fourth position. Furthermore, two minor far-right parties also garnered sufficient votes to enter the legislature.
This election cycle has illuminated a prevalent anti-establishment sentiment in Romania, an EU and NATO member, which is gearing up for a presidential runoff on December 8. The runoff pits populist candidate Calin Georgescu against USR’s Elena Lasconi. The initial voting round has already plunged Romania into a state of political instability, marred by allegations of electoral misconduct and potential Russian interference.
AUR’s leader, George Simion, who is regarded as a controversial figure and has openly supported U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, proclaimed the election results as a “watershed moment” for the nation. He remarked, “This is when Romania is reborn through our united will,” emphasizing national unity in the face of adversity.
In 2020, AUR transitioned from a relatively minor party, capturing just 9% of the votes, to doubling their support to 18.2% in this recent election. This rise can be attributed to the party’s stated values of “family, nation, faith, and freedom,” which resonate strongly with a segment of the electorate.
Political consultant Cristian Andrei from Bucharest expressed that the increased representation of far-right parties complicates the process for pro-Western factions aiming to form a majority government, particularly as these traditionally opposing entities are now required to collaborate. “The majority isn’t unified; it’s fragmented and fraught with animosity,” he noted, pointing out the challenges ahead for the coalition negotiations.
Historically, the Social Democratic Party and the National Liberal Party have been two principal opposition factions in Romania’s post-communist landscape. However, after establishing a coalition with a smaller ethnic Hungarian party in 2021, fractures within this alliance have now surfaced, especially following the latter’s exit amidst disagreements over power-sharing regulations.
Looking forward, Andrei remarked that the emerging president will play a crucial role in shaping the coalition, calling that individual the “real kingmaker.” The Romanian presidency carries substantial decision-making authority over national security and foreign relationships, alongside the power to appoint prime ministers and dissolve parliament.
Recent observations regarding Georgescu’s unexpected first-round presidential victory reflect a significant shift from conventional political parties towards more populist, anti-establishment options. His appeal has grown amid rising inflation, living costs, and a sluggish economy, despite him polling under 10% prior to the elections.
Andrei noted that the next administration will likely have to implement “unpopular decisions regarding taxes and budgetary cuts,” which could inadvertently strengthen the far-right factions in future elections.
Georgescu’s ascent has sparked numerous protests across Romania from those who oppose his prior comments and perceive him as a threat to democratic values. His rapid rise in popularity has been attributed to his presence on the social media platform TikTok, leading to suggestions that it was artificially amplified. Analyst reports indicate his social media following surged abruptly, reminiscent of his polling numbers.
Romania’s top defense authorities recently issued a statement highlighting that “a presidential candidate has received extensive exposure due to preferential treatment” on TikTok, suggestions of which have raised alarm concerning foreign influence, especially from Russia, which has been accused of meddling in various facets of Romanian politics. However, the Kremlin has categorically denied any interference in the election process.
On November 28, the Constitutional Court ordered a recount of all 9.4 million votes following a complaint regarding potential electoral law violations made by a former presidential candidate who secured 1% in the polls. Additionally, a decision regarding the annulment of the vote was postponed to the following Monday.
Overall, these developments indicate that Romania is on a turbulent political path, grappling with mixed sentiments among its electorate as the nation prepares to navigate an unpredictable landscape ahead.