Romania’s pro-West parties win election, far-right makes gains, as coalition faces challenges
The rise of anti-establishment sentiment, fuelled by economic woes, has led to a potential coalition government that could be difficult to form
Pro-Western parties won the most votes in Romania’s parliamentary election, data on Monday shows, and will look to form a coalition government as the European Union country sees a surge of support for far-right nationalists who made huge gains in the country’s legislature.
The leftist Social Democratic Party topped the polls in Sunday’s vote and the far-right nationalist Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, or AUR, came in second ahead of the National Liberal Party. The reformist Save Romania Union party, or USR, came in fourth. Two smaller far-right nationalist parties also got enough votes to enter parliament.
The election revealed widespread anti-establishment sentiment in the EU and Nato member country, which is due to hold a presidential run-off on December 8 between far-right populist Calin Georgescu, and Elena Lasconi of USR. The first round plunged Romania into political turmoil and led to allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference.
George Simion, the controversial 38-year-old leader of the AUR who is a vocal supporter of US president-elect Donald Trump, told the media that the anti-establishment gains on Sunday amounted to a “watershed moment” for Romania.
“It is a moment when, through our common will, Romania is reborn,” he said. “We are here … generation after generation, proving that nothing can defeat a united nation.”
In 2020, the AUR party went from relative obscurity to gaining 9 per cent in a parliamentary vote, allowing it to enter parliament. The party – which proclaims to stand for “family, nation, faith, and freedom” – doubled its support in Sunday’s vote to 18.2 per cent.
