Romania’s political landscape shifted dramatically on Sunday, as the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) secured victory in the parliamentary elections, but not without significant tremors. Partial results revealed a stunning surge in support for far-right parties, reaching a combined 30% of the vote – a considerable leap from the less than 10% they garnered in the 2020 elections. This unexpected outcome casts a shadow of uncertainty over the future of this crucial NATO and EU member state, especially given its proximity to Ukraine.
With over 85% of ballots counted, the pro-European PSD, which had previously governed in coalition with the Liberals, emerged as the leading party, albeit with a relatively modest 23.5% of the vote. This leaves a highly fragmented parliament, raising concerns about the stability of any potential future government. Political analyst Cristian Pirvulescu aptly described the situation as “extraordinarily fragmented, with a lot of risks,” highlighting the challenges ahead in forming a stable governing coalition.
The election’s backdrop was one of significant political turmoil. A top court’s decision to recount ballots from the first round of the presidential election, won by Calin Georgescu – a little-known far-right figure admired by Vladimir Putin – added to the already tense atmosphere. A runoff election is scheduled for December 8th.
The far-right’s unexpected success has triggered alarm bells in the West. Their opposition to sending aid to Ukraine, coupled with their potential influence on Romania’s foreign policy, poses significant concerns for the country’s allies. However, the possibility of a governing coalition that includes far-right parties remains uncertain. The current political climate makes forming a stable government a daunting task.
While Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, a Social Democrat, emphasized Romania’s continued commitment to its European path, he also stressed the importance of “protecting our identity, national values, and faith,” potentially attempting to bridge the gap between the pro-European and nationalist sentiments within the electorate. Voter turnout reached its highest level in 20 years, exceeding 52%, indicating high levels of engagement and potentially reflecting a deep societal unrest.
Leaders of the far-right parties celebrated their gains, framing the results as a victory for national sovereignty. George Simion, leader of the AUR party (17.5% of the vote), proclaimed it “the beginning of a new era,” asserting that the Romanian people had reclaimed “the right to decide their own destiny.” Other far-right parties, such as SOS Romania and the Party of Young People (POT), also secured significant gains, exceeding 5% of the vote and securing parliamentary representation for the first time. This marks an unprecedented breakthrough for the far-right in Romania since the fall of communism.
Many attribute this surge to public anger over soaring inflation and anxieties surrounding the war in neighboring Ukraine. Political commentator Radu Magdin connected the rise of the far-right to accumulated societal frustrations and economic discontent. Despite their success, forming a viable government might prove challenging for the far-right parties, lacking sufficient allies.
In the face of a fragmented parliament, several political leaders are advocating for a pro-European “government of national unity.” Elena Lasconi, leader of the centrist USR (approximately 11% of the vote), called upon political parties to put aside their differences and prioritize defending “democracy in Romania, staying in the European Union and in NATO.” The parliamentary election occurred during a period of intense political uncertainty, heightened by the court-ordered recount of the presidential election ballots, creating widespread confusion and anxiety about Romania’s future trajectory within the international community.
