Romania’s Social Democratic Party appears set to win parliamentary elections, with exit polls indicating a pro-Western coalition led by the PSD likely to form a government. The outcome is uncertain due to a fragmented parliament and expected votes from Romanians working abroad.
Romania: Ruling Social Democrats appear set to win elections
According to exit polls, the ruling Social Democratic Party in Romania appears set to win the parliamentary elections.
The outcome of the election will determine who gets to form the government in Romania. The president appoints a prime minister, but the timetable for doing so is unclear.
Romania has played an important role in Western support for Ukraine, providing military aid and enabling the export of millions of tons of Ukrainian grain through its Black Sea port of Constanta.
Far-right parties made large gains in the election, with their combined result being around 30%. This indicates a fragmented parliament. The hundreds of thousands of Romanians working abroad are expected to favor far-right groups and a centrist opposition.
If exit polls are confirmed by official results, a pro-Western coalition led by the PSD is likely to have enough seats in parliament to form a government. However, the outcome is uncertain due to the fragmented nature of the parliament and the expected votes from Romanians working abroad.
The parliamentary elections took place against the backdrop of a recount of the first round of last week’s presidential election. The recount was ordered by the Constitutional Court amid allegations of irregularities and possible interference in the election.
Commenting on the exit polls, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said that voters had confirmed they wanted investment to continue.
The runoff between Georgescu and reformist Elena Lasconi of the Save Romania Union (USR) is scheduled to take place on December 8, pending a decision by the Constitutional Court next week.
