Radio România Internațional

Tag: political parties

  • March 11, 2018 UPDATE

    March 11, 2018 UPDATE

    POLITICAL PARTIES — The National Council of the National Liberal Party, the main opposition party in Romania, which convened in Bucharest on Sunday decided that the incumbent president of the country, Klaus Iohannis, be the party’s nomination for the 2019 presidential elections. The National Council also validated the proposal on nominating Liberal leader Ludovic Orban for the position of prime minister, if the National Liberal Party comes to power. Orban has announced his party will draft a governing program, based on a cabinet including 14-15 portfolios and not 28 as is the case now. In another move, on Saturday, the main party in the ruling coalition, the Social Democratic Party, organised elections for the positions of executive president, secretary general and vice-presidents of the party. Following the elections, PM Viorica Dancila has become no.2 in the party led by Liviu Dragnea. Also on Saturday, the Political Committee of the Save Romania Union, USR, in opposition, decided to render more flexible the party joining procedure, with the declared aim that by 2020, USR should have branches in at least 80% of the country’s towns and villages.



    FLU SEASON — In Romania, the number of flu-related deaths has reached 93, after three new deaths have recently been reported, the National Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control has announced. The latest flu victims are two women, aged 72 and 52, respectively, and a man aged 56, who had not been immunized. The total number of acute respiratory infections registered over the past week exceeded 140,000, that is 67% more than in the same week of 2017, and 4.5% more than in the previous week. 1,170 flu-cases were reported since the start of the flu season until last weekend.



    STEEL AND ALUMINIUM TARRIFS — The US President Donald Trump says the EU might be exempted from paying the new US tariffs on steel and aluminium, if it removes commercial barriers imposed on American products. The announcement has been made by representatives of the Commission in Brussels who have also announced they have had an inconclusive meeting with Washington’s special enjoy. Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malstrom has said the US did not provide guarantees that the EU will be spared from paying the new customs duties. The introduction of tariffs on steel and aluminium imports announced by President Trump has generated strong international reactions. China has described the measure as a severe attack on the global trade system. Chinese associations have launched an appeal to the US, to give up on the idea. This has been a major promise made during Trump’s election campaign, and it is now a reality: in two weeks’ time, new tariffs will be imposed on all countries, except for Canada, the largest steel exporter to the US, Mexico and Australia. China and the EU have warned they will take measures in response to the move and numerous people voiced concern that this step taken by the US might actually be the start of a new protectionist era. According to Donald Trump, the measure allegedly protects the US national defence and security industry.



    PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA — The National People’s Congress, NPC, the Chinese legislative body, has adopted a constitutional amendment which abolishes the limitation of the number of presidential mandates, which gives the opportunity to the incumbent Chinese head of state, Xi Jinping, to lead the country post 2023, international news agencies report. So far, the Chinese Constitution has provided for a maximum of two 5-year presidential mandates. This is the first constitutional amendment adopted by China in the past 14 years. Since he came at the helm of the Chinese Communist Party in 2012, and he became the head of state in early 2013, Xi Jinping, 64, has gradually increased his authority, laying special emphasis on propaganda and the state media’s coverage of his actions, FP reports.



    BOOK FAIR — 20 years on, Romania will again be the honorary guest of the International Book Fair in Leipzig (eastern Germany), which will open its doors on March 15. Attending the fair will be the Romanian writers Mircea Cărtărescu, Nora Iuga, Andrei Pleşu and Varujan Vosganian. The Romanian Ministry of Culture will organise 60 events at Romania’s stand, whose motto is “Romania. Zoom in”. One such event is the concert given by Ada Milea, who will be performing songs on lyrics translated into German by the German writer of Romanian origin Herta Muller, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2009, a communiqué issued by the Romanian Ministry of Culture reads. (Translated by D. Vijeu)

  • March 11, 2018

    March 11, 2018

    POLITICAL SCENE – Bucharest is today the venue for the National Council of the National Liberal Party and of the National Political Bureau of the party, which have convened for the activity report meeting of the main opposition party in Romania. The Liberals intend to simplify the party joining procedure, by a resolution meant to show more openness to society and which is expected to be issued later today. Talks will also cover the measures taken by the National Liberal Party to disapprove of the actions taken by the ruling coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party-the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Romania, PSD-ALDE. A report on the parliamentary activity of the National Liberal Party will be made public, laying emphasis on the notifications filed by the Liberals regarding the justice laws and the actions they have been started against the economic measures adopted by the ruling coalition. The Liberals consider that the transfer of social security contributions from the employer to employee has created fiscal chaos and that the law on the unified payment scheme has led to significant salary cuts. In another move, on Saturday, the main party in the ruling coalition, the Social Democratic Party, organised elections for the positions of executive president, secretary general and vice-presidents of the party. Following the elections, PM Viorica Dancila has become no.2 in the party led by Liviu Dragnea. Also on Saturday, the Political Committee of the Save Romania Union, USR, in opposition, decided to render more flexible the party joining procedure, with the declared aim that by 2020, USR should have branches in at least 80% of the countrys towns and villages.



    STEEL AND ALUMINIUM TARIFFS – The US President Donald Trump says the EU might be exempted from paying the new US tariffs on steel and aluminium, if it removes commercial barriers imposed on American products. The announcement has been made by representatives of the Commission in Brussels who have also announced they have had an inconclusive meeting with Washingtons special enjoy. Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malstrom has said the US did not provide guarantees that the EU will be spared from paying the new customs duties. The introduction of tariffs on steel and aluminium imports announced by President Trump has generated strong international reactions. China has described the measure as a severe attack on the global trade system. Chinese associations have launched an appeal to the US, to give up on the idea. This has been a major promise made during Trumps election campaign, and it is now a reality: in two weeks time, new tariffs will be imposed on all countries, except for Canada, the largest steel exporter to the US, Mexico and Australia. China and the EU have warned they will take measures in response to the move and numerous people voiced concern that this step taken by the US might actually be the start of a new protectionist era. According to Donald Trump, the measure allegedly protects the US national defence and security industry.



    PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA – The National Peoples Congress, NPC, the Chinese legislative body, has adopted a constitutional amendment which abolishes the limitation of the number of presidential mandates, which gives the opportunity to the incumbent Chinese head of state, Xi Jinping, to lead the country post 2023, international news agencies report. So far, the Chinese Constitution has provided for a maximum of two 5-year presidential mandates. This is the first constitutional amendment adopted by China in the past 14 years. Since he came at the helm of the Chinese Communist Party in 2012, and he became the head of state in early 2013, Xi Jinping , 64, has gradually increased his authority, laying special emphasis on propaganda and the state medias coverage of his actions, FP reports.



    FLU SEASON – In Romania, the number of flu-related deaths has reached 93, after three new deaths have recently been reported, the National Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control has announced. The latest flu victims are two women, aged 72 and 52, respectively, and a man aged 56, who had not been immunized. The total number of acute respiratory infections registered over the past week exceeded 140,000, that is 67% more than in the same week of 2017, and 4.5% more than in the previous week. 1,170 flu-cases were reported since the start of the flu season until last weekend.



    TRAVEL FAIR – Hundreds of visitors came to see Romanias stand at the Berlin Travel fair and tried to find information on the available tourist offers. They have been attracted at the stand by numerous singers attending the event, among which the “Romanasul folk ensemble and “The Humans band, which will represent Romania at the Eurovision Song Contest this year. Today, on the last day of the fair, visitors will have the opportunity to see the “Junii Sibiului group, which will perform folk dances and will present traditions from all of Romanias historical regions, and they will equally have the opportunity to meet Sebastian Paic, a talented craftsman, who organises egg painting workshops.(Translated by D. Vijeu)

  • Economic Programs

    Economic Programs

    One month before the start of the campaign for the parliamentary elections due on December 11th, the party ranking first in the polls, the Social Democratic Party, has drawn up its economic agenda, as part of its potential governing program. The Social Democrats propose a mix of liberal and social initiatives, aimed at satisfying the captive voters. Their program includes measures such as the elimination of 100 non-fiscal fees, fiscal relaxation measures, as well as measures aimed at increasing people’s incomes.



    Also, the Social Democratic Party would like to see more money in the 2017-2020 budget as a result of European funds absorption, the setting up of a sovereign development fund and investments under which the amounts entering the economy would return to the general consolidated budget in the shape of taxes and fees, including the VAT. Also, the Social Democratic Party would like to ensure a fiscal re-launch for employees, for the income tax to reach zero, as of January 1st 2008, for those who earn up to 2000 lei, which is 450 Euro, for doctors and IT specialists. As for pensioners, the Social Democrats come with a proposal that nobody would refuse: eliminating the income tax as of next year, also if the pension is lower or equal to 2000 lei.



    Also, all pensioners would no longer have to pay contributions to the health insurance fund. As the main opponent of the Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party would like to give the economy a boost by investing an additional 24 billion Euros in the coming four years. As regards taxation, the liberals propose the generalization of the 16% flat tax, now applicable only to the income tax. Therefore, the standard VAT and the social contributions paid by employers and employees would be all brought to the level of 16%.



    The newly created Save Romania Party, ranking third in voters’ preferences, comes with a long term vision for sustainable development, based on investments, not on consumption and fiscal incentives, as well as strategic investments in infrastructure and education. Under the Union’s program, transportation is a national priority and health care would benefit from additional funds from the budget and would enter a process aimed at rendering it more effective. Debates on the three parties’ economic offers have been disturbed by the dispute over the warning launched by Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis, who said that, after the elections, he would not designate a prosecuted or convicted Prime Minister.



    The President did not give any names, but the leader of the Social Democratic Party Liviu Dragnea, sentenced in the famous case of the 2012 referendum on the impeachment of the then president Traian Basescu, felt like the cap fit him. Offended, he accused the head of state of overstepping his constitutional responsibilities. That moment marked the unofficial start of the election campaign, which is very likely to be marked by fierce electoral confrontations.



    (Translated by Mihaela Ignatescu)


  • April 26, 2016 UPDATE

    April 26, 2016 UPDATE

    ABU – The 4th edition of the ABU Radio Song Festival was held in Beijing, China. This event, organised by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, is the Asian equivalent of the Eurovision Song Contest, but it only addresses radio stations. A special guest of the festival this year was Romania’s representative, Analia Selis. The festival marks the end of this year’s Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Conference. On the sidelines of the Festival was held the Media 2020 Conference, organised by Radio Romania and Radio China International. The Conference focused on the need to further maintain the relevance of radio, by adjusting its content. An example of how to use radio to promote culture was offered by Radio Romania’s President and Director General, Ovidiu Miculescu, who talked about the Gaudeamus International Book Fair.




    SURGERY – On Tuesday, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis was operated on his right shoulder at the “Dr. Carol Davila” Military Hospital in Bucharest. The surgery went well and the President will resume his duties as of Wednesday.




    ELECTIONS — In Romania, April 26 was the deadline for parties, election alliances, ethnic minority organisations and independent runners to submit their candidacies for the local elections. Candidacies may be challenged until May 1, and remain final as of May 4. The election campaign begins on May 6 and ends on June 4, one day before the elections. Competing in the local elections are established political parties like the Social Democrats, the Liberals, the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats or the People’s Movement Party, as well as many new parties, given that as of last year the Romanian legislation allows for political parties to be set up by at least 3 members. It is for the third time since 1989 that a technocratic government organises elections in Romania, after the Theodor Stolojan Cabinet in 1991-1992, and the Mugur Isărescu Cabinet in 1999-2000.




    NEGOTIATIONS — The authorities in Bucharest carry on talks with trade unions on a new emergency ordinance concerning salaries in the public sector. The Labour Minister, Dragoş Pîslaru, has announced that the priority in these negotiations is to do away with imbalances in the system. The order on public sector salaries is to be subject to public debate starting mid-May and to take effect as of June 1. In the last three-party meeting, the main trade union federations demanded an increase of all public sector salaries, instead of only the smaller ones, as the Government intends, and warned that otherwise protests might be resumed.




    LOAN — The Romanian Senate endorsed a law concerning a 150 million euro loan to be granted by Romania to the neighbouring Republic of Moldova, for the financing of the country’s budget deficit. Last November, the law was sent back to Parliament by President Klaus Iohannis, against the backdrop of political tensions in Chisinau and of uncertainties related to the implementation of the reforms. The loan is to be transferred in maximum three instalments.




    COLECTIV — The interim Prosecutor General of Romania, Bogdan Licu, announced the opening of a criminal investigation into the leaking of information in the Colectiv case, after a few days ago the media published a copy of the indictment. The Colectiv case, concerning the fire that killed 64 people last October in a nightclub in Bucharest, is to be tried in the forthcoming period. According to the information made public by the media, six people are reportedly sent to court: the three owners of the nightclub, two pyrotechnicians and the owner of a fireworks company. The tragedy was followed by large-scale street protests, which led to the resignation of PM Victor Ponta.




    CHERNOBYL – Ukraine commemorated on Tuesday 30 years since the worst nuclear accident in history, the explosion of one reactor in the Chernobyl nuclear plant. During the 10-day fire that followed, huge amounts of radioactive substances were spread in the atmosphere. There are no official data concerning the total number of victims, but 25,000 people are known to have died in decontamination operations alone. According to experts, the death toll is a lot higher. A UN survey indicates that nearly 5 million people affected by radiation exposure still live in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.



    (Translated by Elena Enache)

  • April 26, 2016

    April 26, 2016

    ELECTIONS – In Romania, today is the deadline for parties, election alliances, ethnic minority organisations and independent runners to submit their candidacies for the local elections. Candidacies may be challenged until May 1, and remain final as of May 4. The election campaign begins on May 6 and ends on June 4, one day before the elections. Competing in the local elections are established political parties like the Social Democrats, the Liberals, the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats or the Peoples Movement Party, as well as many new parties, given that as of last year the Romanian legislation allows for political parties to be set up by at least 3 members. It is for the third time since 1989 that a technocratic government organises elections in Romania, after the Theodor Stolojan Cabinet in 1991-1992, and the Mugur Isărescu Cabinet in 1999-2000.



    NEGOTIATIONS – The authorities in Bucharest carry on talks with trade unions on a new emergency order concerning salaries in the public sector. The Labour Minister, Dragoş Pîslaru, has announced that the priority in these negotiations is to do away with imbalances in the system. The order on public sector salaries is to be subject to public debate starting mid-May and to take effect as of June 1. In the last three-party meeting, the main trade union federations demanded an increase of all public sector salaries, instead of only the smaller ones, as the Government intends, and warned that otherwise protests might be resumed.



    LOAN – The Romanian Senate endorsed a law concerning a 150 million euro loan to be granted by Romania to the neighbouring Republic of Moldova, for the financing of the countrys budget deficit. Last November, the law was sent back to Parliament by President Klaus Iohannis, against the backdrop of political tensions in Chisinau and of uncertainties related to the implementation of the reforms. The loan is to be transferred in maximum three instalments.



    COLECTIV – The interim Prosecutor General of Romania, Bogdan Licu, announced the opening of a criminal investigation into the leaking of information in the Colectiv case, after a few days ago mass media published a copy of the indictment. The Colectiv case, concerning the fire that killed 64 people last October in a nightclub in Bucharest, is to be tried in the forthcoming period. According to the information made public by the media, six people are reportedly sent to court: the three owners of the nightclub, two pyrotechnicians and the owner of a fireworks company. The tragedy was followed by large-scale street protests, which led to the resignation of PM Victor Ponta.



    THEATRE – Romania is hosting for the first time the award gala of the Europe Theatre Prize. This year the prize goes to the Swedish choreographer and director Mats Ek, while a special award will be presented to the Romanian director Silviu Purcărete. Established in 1986, as a European Commission pilot project, and granted for the first time in 1987, the Europe Theatre Prize rewards artists and theatre institutions that contribute to better understanding among Europes nations.



    CHERNOBYL – Ukraine commemorates today 30 years since the worst nuclear accident in history, the explosion of one reactor in the Chernobyl nuclear plant. During the 10-day fire that followed, huge amounts of radioactive substances were spread in the atmosphere. There are no official data concerning the total number of victims, but 25,000 people are known to have died in decontamination operations alone. According to experts, the death toll is a lot higher. A UN survey indicates that nearly 5 million people affected by radiation exposure still live in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.



    TENNIS – The Romanian tennis player Irina Begu is facing today the Dutch Richel Hogenkamp, in the first round of the Rabat tournament in Morocco, with 230,000 US dollars in prize money. In the same round, another Romanian, Andreea Mitu, plays today against New Zealands Marina Erakovic. A third Romanian player taking part in the competition Monday lost her match against Russian Ekaterina Makarova, in two sets.

  • November 6, 2015 UPDATE 2

    November 6, 2015 UPDATE 2

    Romania’s President, Klaus Iohannis announced on Friday that fresh consultation for the appointment of a candidate for the prime minister position was set for next week. On Thursday and Friday the head of state met with representatives of parliamentary parties and, for the first time in Romanian politics, with civil society members. President Iohannis, who on Thursday appointed the Education Minister Sorin Câmpeanu as interim PM, said a solution could be presented towards the end of next week. Consultations are held following the resignation of the Social Democrat PM Victor Ponta, against the background of large-scale street protests in the past few days. Last week’s deadly fire at a nightclub in Bucharest, which killed 32 people and left more than 100 severely injured, fuelled public anger at the political elite. Tens of thousands of people protested every evening in Bucharest and other Romanian cities against corrupt politicians, asking for a reform of the political class.




    As many as 65 people injured in a fire at Bucharest’s nightclub “Colectiv” last Friday continue to be in critical condition. The fire killed 32 people. Romania’s interim prime minister Sorin Campeanu announced that his cabinet will approve next week the payment of the medical treatment for patients who will be transferred to hospitals abroad, in countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, Israel, Germany and France. According to Health Minister Nicolae Banicioiu skin transplant was performed on several patients and some of them underwent surgical procedures needed to help them breathe. The National Anti-Corruption Directorate has announced it initiated criminal proceedings against the former mayor of Bucharest District 4, Cristian Popescu-Piedone, for abuse of office and forgery. He is accused of having issued permits for the club’s functioning in spite of the fact that his owners did not get the approval of the Department for Emergency Situations first. The club’s three owners were taken into temporary custody on suspicion of manslaughter and involuntary bodily harm.




    Thousands of British holidaymakers are stranded in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, following London’s decision to suspend all flights to and from the Egyptian resort. The measure was taken over concerns voiced by the British Premier David Cameron and US President Barack Obama that it was possible a bomb on board had brought down the Russian plane which crashed last week, 23 minutes after takeoff from the Sinai resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. The crash on Saturday killed all 224 people on board.




    Nicolae Timofti, the President of the Republic of Moldova, a former Soviet republic with a mostly Romanian speaking population, appointed Mihai Gribincea as the country’s Ambassador to the neighbouring Romania. Gribincea will replace the current Moldovan Ambassador, Iurie Renita, whose mandate has expired. Before being appointed in this new position, Mihai Gribincea was Moldova’s Ambassador to Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, and head of Chisinau’s mission with NATO. According to the Chisinau media, Mihai Gribincea is a staunch supporter of the Euro-Atlantic values.


  • November 5, 2015

    November 5, 2015

    Romanias President Klaus Iohannis has today announced it appointed Education Minister Sorin Cimpeanu as interim prime minister to replace Victor Ponta who resigned on Wednesday after mass street protests. President Iohannis will hold talks with political parties later today and will nominate a new prime minister later this week, tasked with forming a new government, which needs parliamentary approval. The head of state is today meeting with representatives of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), part of the ruling coalition, of the National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) – both in opposition -and of the group of national minorities. Consultations will continue on Friday with the National Union for the Progress of Romania (UNPR) and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE), both part of the ruling coalition. President Iohannis has also announced that he will bring “a new actor” to the table, that is a group which represents civil society and the street, to listen to their wishes and opinions.




    133 people, of whom 80 in serious condition, are still in hospital following the fire in the “Colectiv” nightclub, which caused the death of 32 people, authorities have announced. The death toll could rise significantly, doctors have warned, given that the club décor that burnt in the fire gave off extremely noxious gases and the injuries caused are atypical, including burns involving large areas of the skin, lung necrosis and extensive respiratory damage.




    Wednesday evening’s protests in Bucharest and several other Romanian cities, attended by tens of thousands of people, made headlines throughout the world. In spite of prime minister Victor Ponta’s resignation, France Press reports, protesters are asking for a government made up of technocrats, against the background of their lack of confidence in political parties. Reuters reports that protesters believe that the government’s resignation should be the start of a reform of the political class and the public administration, generally seen as corrupt. In its turn, the BBC says that concerns that safety has been compromised by corruption, fuelled people’s anger at the political elite. People are unsatisfied with politicians getting richer and richer while ordinary Romanians are becoming poor and poor, the Liberation writes.




    Romanian gymnast Larisa Iordache won the all-around title at the 32nd edition of the annual “Arthur Gander Memorial” competition on Wednesday in Morges, Switzerland. Iordache, the all-around bronze medallist in Glasgow, competed on vault, balance beam and floor exercise to easily win the title. The Romanian gymnast sailed to victory amassing a 2-point margin over second place Pauline Schäfer of Germany. Another Romanian, Diana Bulimar, came out 3rd. First held in 1984, the annual competition honors the legendary Arthur Gander, the former president of the International Gymnastics Federation.

  • The Senate votes for the new election law

    The Senate votes for the new election law

    The draft election law was passed on Wednesday by the Senate and has been submitted to the Chamber of Deputies for approval. Under the new law, next years elections will use the party-list voting system, while the numbers of MPs will also be cut. At present, Parliament totals 412 deputies and 176 senators. Adopted by a large majority in the Senate, the draft law provides for a representation quota of one Deputy for every 73,000 inhabitants and one Senator for every 168,000 inhabitants.



    The new Parliament will therefore have 308 deputies and 134 senators, 18 MPs representing ethnic minorities and 6 representing the Diaspora. All political factions voted in favour of the bill. Both the Social-Democratic Party in the ruling coalition and the National Liberal Party in opposition have hailed the draft law. Liberal MP Puiu Hasotti believes the draft law will restore a sense of normalcy, given that the party-list voting system worked just fine up until 2004 and continues to be used in most countries with a proportional representation system. Two rounds of elections, in 2008 and 2012, have revealed the deep flaws in the current election law, which also sparks political turmoil, Hasotti went on to say.



    Under the new law, the election threshold will be set at 5% of the total number of votes at national level, or at 20% of the votes in at least four constituencies for all candidates. Additionally, in the case of political coalitions or election alliances, apart from meeting the election threshold in order to ensure representation, the second member of the alliance will need to grab 3% of the votes at national level, while every other member will need to secure 1% of the votes cast in all constituencies, up to a maximum value of 10% of these votes.



    The reform of the Parliament is not a new idea in itself. Several months ago president Klaus Iohannis held consultations with political parties in this respect. On the sideline of the meeting the president and party representatives agreed on a timetable, under which Romania commits to fully reforming its election and party funding legislation by the end Parliaments current tenure. At the time, president Iohannis said cutting the number of MPs was not a populist move, nor was it motivated by any financial reasons, but argued that a smaller Parliament is an efficient Parliament.

  • Political Negotiations in Bucharest

    Political Negotiations in Bucharest

    Almost three months after the organizational disaster that defined November’s presidential elections, which affected mostly Romanian voters in the Diaspora, the unfortunate episode has not been erased from the public agenda.



    The election winner, Klaus Iohannis, is now proposing a less complicated election system, likely to ease the voting process especially for the Romanians outside the country borders. Changing the general voting system is a topic that Klaus Iohannis has discussed with parliamentary parties. The President proposed, among other things, a calendar for the endorsement of the new election law, having as deadline the end of this year’s first parliamentary session.


    Klaus Iohannis: “We have agreed that by the end of the first parliamentary session we should have a law on the voting system in the Diaspora, new laws on the local and parliamentary elections and also on the financing of parties and election campaigns.”



    The election law needs to be improved, so that Romanians abroad can cast their votes in the best conditions, party representatives have said. There have been several proposals in this respect. The main party in the left-of-center coalition in power, the Social Democratic Party, through the voice of his leader, PM Victor Ponta, has proposed that the Standing Election Authority should also organize the elections abroad. The Conservative Party, another member of the ruling coalition, as well as the representatives of national minorities, supports this idea.



    On the other hand, according to Vasile Blaga, co-leader of the center-right National Liberal Party, the main opposition party wants a vote-by-mail system to be introduced.



    Vasile Blaga: “We are consistent with our ideas and we believe that Romanian citizens must be allowed to cast their vote no matter where they are on the day of voting. That is why we support the vote-by-mail system”.



    The Dan Diaconescu Party of the People, in opposition, shares the Liberals’ view and has, in turn, two exotic initiatives of their own — a compulsory voting system and setting the voting age at 16. According to political analysts, not being an election year makes 2015 the best time for a serious debate on election laws that should generate voter-friendly solutions at home and abroad. It’s been too long since election laws have been serving party interests instead of voters and now it is time to change that.

  • Political Prospects in Romania

    2015 is not a big election year in Romania. After the local and parliamentary elections of 2012 and the presidential elections of 2014, this year will only see a number of by-elections for the seats of senators and deputies that have become vacant as their occupants have resigned, died or been sentenced for corruption. Prosecutors have also wrought havoc among the local administration, with many mayors and county council presidents now under arrest. Under the circumstances, commentators say the local political scene will be dominated this year by clarifications, repositioning and account settling within each party.



    The senior member of the ruling coalition for the last two and a half years, the Social Democratic Party is also the biggest party in Romania and the party with the biggest internal problems. The party’s shocking defeat in the presidential elections, something no opinion poll had predicted, has not yet been digested by its members. The last time the left wing won the presidential elections in this country was 14 years ago, with Ion Iliescu. As they did in 2004 with Adrian Nastase and in 2009 with Mircea Geoana, the Social Democrats are again expected to rid themselves of the man who lost the elections, their leader and the country’s prime minister Victor Ponta. According to his own statements, Ponta is not sure he will run for a new term as party president at the Social Democrats’ Congress in March.



    The Conservative Party, a junior member of the ruling coalition, has not had a good start in 2015, either, following an open conflict between its current president and agriculture minister Daniel Constantin and the founder of the party, the media mogul Dan Voiculescu, who is serving 10 years in prison for corruption. The media have speculated that the row between the two may cause a split within the party, between the members who are loyal to Voiculescu and the more pragmatic members who are pinning their hopes on the “young wolf”.



    In its turn, the right wing, in opposition, has not been very able to manage the happy outcome of the presidential elections, which its candidate Klaus Iohannis won in November. The latter has been accused, albeit not openly, of pushing for his protégé, the young and inexperienced Alina Gorghiu, to win the leadership of the National Liberal Party to the detriment of Ludovic Orban, one of the party’s oldest and most pugnacious members. This has led to additional complications for a party priding itself that freedom of expression always prevails over monolithic unity.



    Another big challenge for the Liberals this year is the painstaking completion of their merger with the Liberal Democrats to form a big right wing party affiliated to the European People’s Party. The merger will be all the more difficult as for the last 25 years, the Liberals and the Liberal Democrats have more often been at odds with each other than on the same side.



    Finally, 2015 is the year when two relatively new parties have the chance to consolidate their position: the Reformist Liberal Party, in the ruling coalition, which was founded by the former prime minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu, and the People’s Movement Party, in opposition, which outgoing president Traian Basescu is expected to head.