the social democrats placed in the lead, but the far right makes a strong breakthrough

The PSD – which currently governs with the Liberals – is credited with 26% of the votes, ahead of the other parties. However, all far-right forces combined stand at 30%, compared to less than 10% in the previous 2020 election, estimates that should be taken with caution while awaiting partial results. If confirmed, they portend a fragmented Parliament and difficult negotiations to form a government.

This election comes a week after the surprise success of far-right candidate Calin Georgescu in the first round of the presidential election, a result which aroused fears in the west of the continent about the strategic positioning of this neighboring state of Ukraine, member of the EU and NATO.

“An important signal to the political class”

“The Romanians have sent an important signal to the political class”, reacted to the announcement of these first estimates the Social Democratic Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, eliminated last Sunday from the race: to continue on the European path “but also to protect our identity and our national values”.

The far right, scattered among several groups which have in common to oppose support for kyiv in the name of “peace” and to defend “Christian values”, welcomed these results. “Today the Romanian people voted for the sovereignist forces,” declared the leader of the AUR (Alliance for the Unity of Romanians) party, George Simion, who himself had received nearly 14% in the presidential election. “This is the beginning of a new era where Romanians reclaim the right to decide their own destiny,” he added.

In the same camp, SOS Romania, led by the tempestuous pro-Kremlin candidate Diana Sosoaca, and the brand new Youth Party (POT) are each credited with more than 5% and should therefore enter Parliament.