Governing Alliance Wins EU Elections in Romania

Romania’s center-left governing coalition has won the European parliamentary elections, with around 37.5 per cent of the vote, according to first preliminary results announced on Monday by the Central Electoral Bureau.

The governing alliance is comprised of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and two minor parties. Together they should get around 16 seats in the European Parliament.

A little under 15 per cent of the vote went to the National Liberal Party (PNL), which is likely to win six seats. Liberals are facing a leadership crisis as party president Crin Antonescu is likely to announce his resignation today due to the poor election results.

The Democrat Liberal Party (PDL) got around 12 percent of the vote, while the Popular Movement Party (PMP), which was formed just a few months ago and is supported by President Traian Basescu, got a little over 6 percent.

The Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), and independent Mircea Diaconu, a famous actor, have also exceeded the threshold of 5 per cent of the vote.

Romania will have 32 seats in the next European Parliament, one fewer than its current total.

The European elections have been marked by a high level of abstentions in Romania, with around 32 per cent of people voting on Sunday. Only 27 per cent of Romanians voted in the European elections of 2009, compared to a European average of 43 per cent.

Analysts say the lack of a clear agenda on the part of most candidates, as well as a perception of clientism and corruption, have contributed to a lack of interest by voters.

None of the political parties saw the elections as a way to discuss European issues but rather as a test before the presidential election, due later this year.