After three decades of political life structured by two major parties, analysts predict a fragmented hemicycle and difficult negotiations to form a government.
The Romanians are called to the polls on Sunday to elect their Parliament, with a possible victory for the far right and a strategic shift in this neighboring state of Ukraine, a member of the EU and NATO.
In a few days, the Eastern European country has seen a succession of twists and turns, from the arrival in the lead in the first round of the presidential election of far-right candidate Calin Georgescu to accusations from the authorities regarding the integrity of the elections. They questioned Russian influence in the current regional context and the role of the TikTok platform. To the point that the Constitutional Council ordered a new count.
While half of the nine million ballots had been recounted on Saturday afternoon, without including those from the diaspora, residents of Bucharest were worried about the turn of events. “What is happening does not seem very democratic to me.», Reacted to AFP Gina Visan, a 40-year-old nurse, while shopping at a Christmas market in the capital. “They should respect our vote. We are disappointed but used to this kind of behavior», she laments, echoing the distrust towards traditional parties deemed corrupt.
The question of aid to Ukraine
The United States even interfered in the debate, hoping that no decision would come between the two rounds.jeopardize the credibility of the electoral process» et «tarnish” the “strong reputation of Romania as a reliable democratic partner», According to a statement from its ambassador in Bucharest, Kathleen Kavalec.
On this national holiday in Romania, polling stations will open at 7:00 a.m. (05:00 GMT) and close at 9:00 p.m. Exit polls will be released shortly thereafter. After three decades of political life structured by two major parties, analysts predict a fragmented hemicycle and difficult negotiations to form a government.
The far right, scattered between several parties which have in common opposition to support for kyiv, is credited with more than 30% of voting intentions. Since the fall of communism in 1989, Romania has never experienced such a breakthrough, but the anger of the 19 million inhabitants simmers at the economic difficulties and the war on the other side of the border.
Remain “a country of freedom”
George Sorin, a 45-year-old economist, has made his choice: he will vote for a nationalist party. The current Parliament“only served Ukraine's interests by approving a whole series of aid without explaining anything,” forgetting “those of Romania“, he said, also criticizing “servility» in Brussels.
Several parties from this political side are present: AUR (Alliance for the Unity of Romanians), whose candidate George Simion won nearly 14% in the presidential election, but also SOS Romania, led by the tempestuous pro-Kremlin candidate Diana Sosoaca .
A new party, the POT (Youth Party), appeared after the Georgescu surprise, which he supports, and could cross the 5% threshold necessary to enter Parliament. In the opposing pro-European camp, the centrists of USR hope to do well after the second place won in the presidential election by their leader Elena Lasconi.
In a final appeal, outgoing pro-European President Klaus Iohannis described the elections as “crucial for Romania's leadership in the years to come“. Stay “a country of freedom», «a modern European nation» or «sinking into harmful isolation and reconnecting with a dark past», voilà «the existential choice we face», at-il having you.
