Radio România Internațional

Tag: Presidential election in Romania

March 6, 2025 UPDATE 3

SUMMIT – The interim president of Romania, Ilie Bolojan, on Thursday called for an increase of Europe’s role in maintaining peace on the continent, support for Ukraine and the increase of defense spending. On the sidelines of the special EU summit hosted by Brussels, president Bolojan discussed with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Romania’s priorities in implementing the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and the increase of the absorption of European funds. “We also conveyed our support for the initiatives of the European Commission in the field of defense and competitiveness”, Ilie Bolojan wrote on social media. Upon meeting with the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, Ilie Bolojan said that Romania intends to continue the “excellent collaboration” with the community legislature. Ilie Bolojan attended an extraordinary European Council summit, where the heads of state and government of the European Union pledged to support Ukraine, in the context of US President Donald Trump’s foreign policy, and to spend more on defense. The head of the European Commission said that Europe is at a crossroads and stressed the importance of Europe defending itself through a massive increase in defense spending but also by helping Ukraine achieve a lasting and fair peace. The European Commission president presented an €800 billion EUR package devoted to defense investments. In turn, the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, assured European leaders that Parliament can move quickly and efficiently to respond to the unprecedented security challenges we see today. “Peace must guarantee freedom for Ukraine, security for Europe and deterrence for those who believe they can take it by force”, the European Parliament president further noted. Attending the summit in Brussels, the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, thanked the EU for its strong support.

TREASON – Prosecutors with the Directorate Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism Offences (DIICOT) have detained six individuals over charges of forming an organized crime group and treason. According to DIICOT, the defendants apparently set up a paramilitary organization and negotiated Romania’s exit from NATO with Russian agents. Prosecutors say that the organized crime group was structured like a military-type organization, with management ranks and operative personnel. Radu Theodoru, a retired general and 101-year-old war veteran, was also among the organization’s leaders. The group used online platforms to release video materials and recruit members. At the same time, it took steps to hold negotiations with foreign political and military actors regarding the replacing of the current constitutional order. In January, DIICOT also says, 2 of the defendants travelled to Moscow, where they came into contact with people willing to support the organization’s efforts to take over power in Romania.

APPEAL – Magistrates on Thursday dismissed as unfounded the complaint filed by Călin Georgescu against the judicial control measure, in the investigation where he faces several charges. A former independent candidate in last year’s presidential election, Călin Georgescu was last week placed under judicial control by the Prosecutor General’s Office for a period of 60 days. He is subject to a number of interdictions, including the right to leave the country without the approval of judicial authorities. At the same time, Georgescu cannot post content of a legionary, fascist, anti-Semitic, racist or xenophobic nature on social media. Georgescu is being prosecuted for committing six crimes, the most serious being that of inciting actions against the constitutional order. Investigators claim that Georgescu had come up with a plan to destabilize the country after the Constitutional Court annulled the presidential election in December. The first round was won by Călin Georgescu. Meanwhile, prosecutors have raided new locations linked to the financing of his election campaign. Also on Thursday, the European Court of Human Rights rejected Călin Georgescu’s appeal challenging the annulment of the presidential election in Romania in December 2024. The decision is unanimous and final. Călin Georgescu recently announced that he will submit his candidacy for the presidential election in May with the Central Electoral Bureau on Friday.

GOVERNMENT The Romanian government on Thursday passed several emergency orders, concerning, among other things, the healthcare reform and the spending of EU funds. In the field of healthcare, the government wants to improve regulations on public medical care for freelancers, on the taxation of medicines, on the organization and operation of medical offices and the granting of sick leaves. In a separate emergency order, the Romanian government earmarks the financing for certain local authorities to complete works to extend and upgrade natural gas infrastructure. Finally, the cabinet has also approved the amount of this year’s state aid for the livestock sector.

MOLDOVA – The Republic of Moldova has been accepted into the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), the decision reflecting a confirmation of significant progress in the process of accession to the European Union, the National Bank of the Republic of Moldova has announced. According to the document, SEPA membership will facilitate faster, safer and more accessible international payments in Euro for Moldovan citizens and businesses. “Today’s decision consolidates our irreversible path towards European accession”, said the Governor of the National Bank of the Republic of Moldova, Anca Dragu. SEPA is a European system that facilitates cross-border payments in Euro, eliminating the differences between national and international payments. It includes all European Union countries, as well as other states. (VP)

6 March 2025
March 6, 2025 UPDATE 2

PRESIDENCY – On a visit to Brussels, Romania’s interim president Ilie Bolojan on Thursday discussed with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen regarding Romania’s priorities in implementing the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and increasing the absorption of European funds. “We also expressed our support for the European Commission’s initiatives in the field of defense and competitiveness”, Ilie Bolojan wrote on social media. The Romanian president also met with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and the two officials discussed opportunities to strengthen the Eastern Flank. Ilie Bolojan is attending an extraordinary European Council, where heads of state and government from the European Union are discussing support for Ukraine and the situation of European defense. Ahead of the summit, the European Commission president said that Europe is at a crossroads and stressed the importance of Europe defending itself through a massive increase in defense spending but also by helping Ukraine achieve a lasting and fair peace. Ursula von der Leyen proposed a European armament plan, with defense investments of up to €800 billion. In turn, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, assured European leaders that the European Parliament can move quickly and effectively to respond to present-day unprecedented security challenges. “Peace must guarantee freedom for Ukraine, security for Europe and deterrence for those who think they can take it by force”, president Metsola added. Present in Brussels, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the EU for its strong support.

APPEAL – Magistrates on Thursday dismissed as unfounded the complaint filed by Călin Georgescu against the judicial control measure, in the investigation where he faces several charges. A former independent candidate in last year’s presidential elections, Călin Georgescu was last week placed under judicial control by the Prosecutor General’s Office for a period of 60 days. He is subject to a number of interdictions, including the right to leave the country without the approval of judicial authorities. At the same time, Georgescu cannot post content of a legionary, fascist, anti-Semitic, racist or xenophobic nature on social media. Georgescu is being prosecuted for committing six crimes, the most serious being that of inciting actions against the constitutional order. Investigators claim that he Georgescu had come up with a plan to destabilize the country after the Constitutional Court annulled the presidential election in December. The first round was won by Călin Georgescu. Meanwhile, prosecutors have raided new locations linked to the financing of his election campaign. Also on Thursday, the European Court of Human Rights rejected Călin Georgescu’s appeal challenging the annulment of the presidential election in Romania in December 2024. The decision is unanimous and final. Călin Georgescu recently announced that he will submit his candidacy for the presidential election in May with the Central Electoral Bureau on Friday.

GOVERNMENT The Romanian government on Thursday passed several emergency orders, concerning, among other things, the healthcare reform and the spending of EU funds. In the field of healthcare, the government wants to improve regulations on public medical care for freelancers, on the taxation of medicines, on the organization and operation of medical offices and the granting of sick leaves. In a separate emergency order, the Romanian government earmarks the financing for certain local authorities to complete works to extend and upgrade natural gas infrastructure. Finally, the cabinet has also approved the amount of this year’s state aid for the livestock sector.

MOLDOVA – The Republic of Moldova has been accepted into the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), the decision reflecting a confirmation of significant progress in the process of accession to the European Union, the National Bank of the Republic of Moldova has announced. According to the document, SEPA membership will facilitate faster, safer and more accessible international payments in Euro for Moldovan citizens and businesses. “Today’s decision consolidates our irreversible path towards European accession”, said the Governor of the National Bank of the Republic of Moldova, Anca Dragu. SEPA is a European system that facilitates cross-border payments in Euro, eliminating the differences between national and international payments. It includes all European Union countries, as well as other states. (VP)

6 March 2025
March 5, 2025

PROPOSAL – Romania’s Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has hailed the proposals announced by the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, regarding the exemption of defense spending from the EU limitations on government borrowing. Marcel Ciolacu claims that Romania has constantly advocated for this solution. Von der Leyen proposed the creation of a new fund, which could mobilize almost €800 billion for defense investments at EU level, as well as for military aid for Ukraine.

INVESTIGATION – The Florida Attorney General’s Office is officially investigating the British-American influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan, after the two arrived in Florida last week, dpa reports. The Tate brothers are also being investigated in Romania for human trafficking and exploitation of young women. They were arrested in Romania in December 2022 and were initially subject to a ban on leaving the country. However, Romanian authorities eventually allowed them to leave, and the two went to Florida. According to the German news agency, their release is rumored to have been brokered by the Trump administration, but the White House leader has denied any involvement. Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer, has become a symbol of online misogyny in recent years, along with his brother Tristan. Romanian prosecutors accuse the two of coercing women to produce commercial videos with sexually explicit content. Investigations have revealed at least 34 alleged victims, including a 15-year-old girl. Both brothers deny any wrongdoing.

PROTEST – Union members at the Damen Shipyard in Mangalia (southeast), an insolvent company, will protest on Friday in front of the Dutch embassy and the headquarters of the judicial administrator in Bucharest. The announcement was made by the local trade union, which stated that the action seeks to draw attention to the major crisis facing the shipyard, so that the conflict between the company’s shareholders is settled. The Romanian state owns the majority 51% package of the shipyard in Mangalia. The shipyard went insolvent in June 2024, and its activity has been suspended for over nine months, with most employees being put on furlough.

APPEAL – The appeal filed by the former presidential candidate, pro-Russian extremist Călin Georgescu, against the prosecutors’ decision to place him under judicial control as part of an investigation where he faces six separate charges, including incitement to actions against the constitutional order, was heard today in Bucharest. The Prosecutor General’s office last Wednesday placed Georgescu under judicial control for 60 days, during which time several interdictions apply.

TRAVEL FAIR – Romania’s tourist offers are promoted over March 4-6 at ITB Berlin, the world’s largest travel trade fair. Germany, Romania’s number one trade partner, is also the largest market for Romanian tourism, Economy Minister Bogdan Ivan says. Last year, Romania reported a 10% increase in the number of German tourists, totaling some 240 thousand. At ITB Berlin, Romania is promoted by means of cultural circuits, active and adventure tourism, holidays on the Black Sea coast and in the Danube Delta, rural tourism and city breaks. One of the top attractions this year is also the “George Enescu” International Festival. The 27^th edition will be held over August 24 – September 21 in Bucharest, bringing together 4,000 musicians, reputed orchestras, conductors and soloists which are bound to turn Bucharest into the capital of classical music.

FOOTBALL – Romania’s football champions, FCSB, on Thursday will take on Olympique Lyon of France at home in the round of 16 of Europa League. The return leg is scheduled for March 13 in France. The Bucharest club advanced to the round of 16 of Europa League after a two-leg win over PAOK Thessaloniki of Greece coached by Romanian Răzvan Lucescu. (VP)

5 March 2025
March 2, 2025 UPDATE 3

SUMMIT – 15 European leaders and the Prime Minister of Canada are discussing in London support for Ukraine after the failure of the Trump-Zelenskyy talks in Washington, but also about creating a security identity for Europe, in the context of a possible military withdrawal of the United States. This is a unique moment for European security, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said at the start of the discussions. Among the leaders attending the summit are the president of France, the Chancellor of Germany, the Prime Ministers of Italy and Poland, as well as Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Representing Romania is interim president Ilie Bolojan. The agenda of the London meeting also includes security guarantees that the Europeans want to provide to Ukraine against Russia. The urgent increase in support for Ukraine and European defense are also high on the agenda of the special European summit to be organized on March 6. The EU Commission will table a proposal to deliver swift military aid to Ukraine, worth €20 billion. In addition, the Commission and Member States will consult on new instruments that should enable EU countries to increase defense spending this year, without falling into the infringement procedure for exceeding the budget deficit target. Last but not least, EU leaders will discuss the peace negotiations started by Trump and Putin without consulting or inviting either Ukraine or Europe to the table. The head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, said that if Ukraine is not satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations, the EU will continue to provide military aid to Kyiv in order to achieve a just peace.

TRANSPORT – Air passenger transport in Romania went up 6% last year and reached 26 million passengers, the National Statistics Institute reports. The largest traffic flows were recorded at the “Henri Coandă” airport in Bucharest, “Avram Iancu” airport in Cluj Napoca (northwest) and at the International Airport in Iași (northeast). The largest shares in domestic air transport were recorded by the Henri Coandă-Bucharest airport, with 49.8% of the total number of passengers boarded, “Avram Iancu” airport in Cluj-Napoca with 17.6%, and the “Traian Vuia” airport in Timișoara (west) with 14.4%. Most airline passengers arrived from Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain and France.

ELECTION – Parties, political and election alliances, organizations representing national minorities and independent candidates have two weeks left to submit their candidacies to the Central Election Bureau for the presidential election slated for May. According to the election calendar set by the government and currently debated by Parliament, the election campaign will start on April 4 and last for a month. At home, the election will be held on May 4, while the vote abroad will start on May 2 and end on May 4. The second round is slated for May 18. This week Parliament dismissed Toni Greblă from the helm of the Permanent Election Authority and appointed an interim replacement. The Audiovisual Council also adopted a set of regulations that will apply to the election campaign.

GAZA – Israel announced that it is suspending the entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip, criticizing the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas for refusing an American proposal to extend the ceasefire agreement. “Israel will not accept a ceasefire without the release of our hostages. If Hamas persists in its refusal, more consequences will follow”, a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s office reads. Hamas responded, describing Netanyahu’s decision to stop humanitarian aid as “cheap blackmail”, a “war crime” and “a blow” to the ceasefire agreement, Reuters reports. In a statement, Hamas urged the brokers of the ceasefire agreement to force Israel to end punitive measures against the Gaza Strip. The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement ended on Saturday without Hamas and Israel reaching an agreement to implement the second phase, which was supposed to take effect on Sunday and included the release of the remaining hostages in the Strip and a definitive end to the war.

RUGBY – Romania’s rugby team lost 43-5 away from home to Georgia in the semi-finals of Rugby Europe Championship. Georgia thus claimed the Antim Ivireanu Cup, a trophy in play for every match pitting the two sides. In the other semi-final on Saturday, Portugal lost to Spain 42-31 in Lisbon. Georgia and Portugal will compete for the top spot while Romania will take on Spain for the third place final. Both matches are slated for March 14-16. (VP)

2 March 2025
March 2, 2025

SUMMIT – Leaders of Ukraine’s allies, including Romania’s interim president, Ilie Boljan, are meeting in London this afternoon for a crucial summit. They will discuss new security guarantees in the face of a US letdown following Friday’s heated meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. The Ukrainian president was warmly welcomed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday, and dozens of people gathered to cheer for him outside Downing Street. The British Prime Minister assured the Ukrainian president of the UK’s “absolute determination” to support Ukraine in the face of Russian invasion, and the two governments signed a £2.26 billion loan agreement, which the Ukrainian president said would be used for domestic arms production and would be repaid from Russia’s frozen assets in the West. Driven out of the White House after President Donald Trump accused him of not being grateful enough and refusing to make peace with Russia, Volodymyr Zelenskyy received the support of leaders of European countries, with the exception of Hungary and Slovakia. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said that the free world needs a new leader and that Europeans must accept this challenge. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said, however, that the Ukrainian president must find a way to reconcile with Donald Trump, and French President Emmanuel Macron said that after their falling out, the two leaders must find common ground through respect and gratitude.

PROTEST – Bucharest on Saturday hosted a large protest against the government and in support of the former presidential candidate Călin Georgescu, placed on pre-trial arrest this week on a number of charges. Organized by the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), the protest gathered tens of thousands of participants in Victory Square. Protesters called for the resignation of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and the organization of the second round of the presidential election, annulled last year by the Constitutional Court. Attending the protest was Călin Georgescu himself, who is charged of instigation to actions against the constitutional order. Georgescu said only the Romanian people can judge him, and that he will not yet announce his candidacy for May’s presidential election. Attending the rally were also politicians from Bulgaria, Poland, Italy and Spain, who held speeches in support of Georgescu.

ELECTION – Parties, political and election alliances, organizations representing national minorities and independent candidates have two weeks left to submit their candidacies to the Central Election Bureau for the presidential election slated for May. According to the election calendar set by the government and currently debated by Parliament, the election campaign will start on April 4 and last for a month. At home, the election will be held on May 4, while the vote abroad will start on May 2 and end on May 4. The second round is slated for May 18. This week Parliament dismissed Toni Greblă from the helm of the Permanent Election Authority and appointed an interim replacement. The Audiovisual Council also adopted a set of regulations that will apply to the election campaign.

GAZA – Israel announced that it is suspending the entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip, criticizing the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas for refusing an American proposal to extend the ceasefire agreement. “Israel will not accept a ceasefire without the release of our hostages. If Hamas persists in its refusal, more consequences will follow”, a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s office reads. Hamas responded, describing Netanyahu’s decision to stop humanitarian aid as “cheap blackmail”, a “war crime” and “a blow” to the ceasefire agreement, Reuters reports. In a statement, Hamas urged the brokers of the ceasefire agreement to force Israel to end punitive measures against the Gaza Strip. The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement ended on Saturday without Hamas and Israel reaching an agreement to implement the second phase, which was supposed to take effect on Sunday and included the release of the remaining hostages in the Strip and a definitive end to the war. (VP)

2 March 2025
Official inquiry into election interference

Former far-right presidential candidate Călin Georgescu has been placed under pre-trial arrest for 60 days, after prosecutors questioned him for several hours on Wednesday at the Prosecutor General’s Office, where he was brought in with a warrant. Georgescu was presented with six criminal charges, some of them in aggravated form. One of these marks a premiere for Romania – incitement to actions against the constitutional order, a crime for which no one has ever been prosecuted. Georgescu was also accused of communicating false information, making false declarations regarding financial statements and the funding of the election campaign, initiating or establishing organizations with a fascist, racist or xenophobic and anti-Semitic character and joining or supporting such groups in any form, as well as publicly promoting figures who committed genocide and war crimes. Călin Georgescu denied all allegations, accusing the authorities of employing methods that are reminiscent of the communist regime.

Last December, the Constitutional Court annulled the presidential election, invoking external interference in the election, which is set to be reorganized in full. In the second round, Călin Georgescu, who had unexpectedly managed to rank first in the Romanians’ voting options, was supposed to face the president of the USR (Save Romania Union), Elena Lasconi. After the announcement of the indictment of the former presidential candidate, Romanian politicians reasserted their trust in the judiciary and its independence. Social-Democrat Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, stressed, however, that, given the tense electoral context, judicial authorities must present extremely solid evidence in this investigation.

The leader of AUR (Alliance for the Unity of Romanians), George Simion, expressed his continuous support of Călin Georgescu’s candidacy in the presidential election. Simion said he is waiting for incontestable evidence regarding the investigation launched by the Prosecutor’s Office. In turn, USR president, Elena Lasconi, stated that she continues to have confidence in the justice system and believes that prosecutors are fulfilling their duties responsibly. In contrast, the president of POT (Young People’s Party), Ana Maria Gavrilă, accused the authorities of terrorizing Călin Georgescu’s supporters. The new presidential election is slated for May 4 and 18. Upon leaving the Prosecutor’s Office, Călin Georgescu said that he will definitely run for the presidency this spring. (VP)

27 February 2025
November 25, 2024

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION – The independent candidate Călin Georgescu has surprisingly won Sunday’s first round of the presidential election, with 22.95% of the vote, after the counting of 99.98% of the votes. The leader of Save Romania Union (USR), Elena Lasconi, ranks second with 19.17%, followed by the leader of the Social-Democratic Party (PSD) and the country’s Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, with 19.15%. The president of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), George Simion, grabbed 13.87% of the vote, while the leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL), Nicolae Ciucă, ranks fifth with 8.79%. Over 52% of candidates on permanent lists cast their votes. 821 thousand Romanians voted abroad. 13 candidates enrolled in the race, 9 backed by political parties and 4 independent candidates. The second round of the presidential election is slated for December 8, while the parliamentary election will be held on December 1, the National Day of Romania.

VOTE – The first round of the presidential election came to a close at 7 AM in all the voting precincts set up abroad, the Romanian Foreign Ministry announced. The last polling stations to close their doors were in Vancouver, Canada, but also on the US West Coast – San Francisco, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Las Vegas, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego and Seattle. Voters were able to cast their votes as early as Friday. The Foreign Ministry has set up 950 polling stations abroad for the presidential and parliamentary elections this year. According to the Permanent Electoral Authority, 821,703 Romanians cast their votes abroad, 817,476 on additional lists and 4,227 by post.

REFERENDUM – Bucharest residents on Sunday were invited to cast their votes in a local referendum called by Mayor General, Nicușor Dan. The referendum passed the critical threshold of 30% participation. According to preliminary results, the majority response to the three questions was “Yes”. 67% of respondents agreed that construction permits be issued by the Bucharest City Hall alone, 64% voted in favor of the City Hall Council approving the budgets of the City Hall and local districts, while 82% voted in favor of creating a program designed to combat drug use in schools. The referendum needs to be first confirmed by Parliament, political parties cannot ignore the will of 500 Bucharest dwellers, Mayor Nicușor Dan said, calling on political parties to come up with a plan over the coming days with a view to transposing the result of the referendum into national law.

SCHENGEN – The Interior Ministers of Romania, Bulgaria, Austria and Hungary and the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, agreed in Budapest that Romania and Bulgaria would join the Schengen area with their land borders starting January 1, 2025. A decision will be taken in next month’s Home Affairs Council meeting hosted by Brussels. “Romania is a provider of security in Europe, and its accession will consolidate the Schengen area”, Interior Minister Cătălin Predoiu said.

VISAS – China has eliminated visas for Romanian citizens over November 30, 2024 – December 31, 2025. The decision was hailed by the Romanian Foreign Ministry, which said the measure will help facilitate the mobility of Romanian citizens, expanding the scale of person-to-person contacts. Visas will be lifted for citizens travelling for business, tourism, visiting relatives of merely transiting China. Romanian citizens who do not find themselves in one of the aforementioned situations are required to present a visa upon entry. (VP)

25 November 2024
Preparations ahead of the second round of the presidential elections

The winner of the first round of the presidential elections with 40% of the votes, the Social Democrat Victor Ponta is, at 42, the youngest prime minister in post-communist Romania. He is running for president on behalf of an alliance comprising the Social Democratic Party, the National Union for the Progress of Romania and the Conservative Party. A law school graduate, he became a politician after a short career as a prosecutor. In the early 2000s, he worked closely with the former prime minister, the controversial politician Adrian Nastase, before becoming the leader of the Social Democratic Party in 2012.

In the last two and a half years he has spent as Prime Minister, Ponta has become popular with traditional left-wing voters in the east and south-east of the country, whose votes ensured his first round victory. His popularity is mainly based on Romania’s positive macroeconomic performance, generous social protection measures, the ability to tell voters what they like to hear and a passion for sports.

However, his opponents have criticised him for a lack of competence in the economic area, suspicious relationships with party members who are now in prison for corruption and for his inability to adjust his manner and speech to fit the circumstances, being accused of being too cheerful in all the wrong situations.

In stark contrast to Ponta, Klaus Iohannis is one of the most sober politicians on the Romanian scene. A candidate of the Christian Liberal Alliance made up of the National Liberal Party and the Liberal Democratic Party, he won 30% of the votes in the first round. However, his sober manner, while earning him the respect of some people, also generates boredom in other people. At 55, Iohannis is one of the longest-serving mayors in Romania. First elected a mayor of the central city of Sibiu in 2000, he went on to win comfortably three more terms. A rare case among Romanian politicians in the local administration, he has not been the subject of any corruption investigation in his 14-year-long career.

Everybody appears to agree that Sibiu is one of the best managed cities in the country, being even awarded the title of European capital of culture in 2007. His supporters say this is largely his merit. A former physics teacher, Iohannis is a German ethnic and a member of the Lutheran community. Unlike hundreds of thousands of ethnic Germans from Romania who have moved to Germany in recent decades, Iohannis has preferred to stay in Romania. His rivals say he is not a good speaker, that he is too provincial for a top leadership position in Bucharest and that he does not relate to the values of the ethnic Romanian and Orthodox majority.

In the second round of the presidential vote, Victor Ponta relies on the support of some of the candidates who lost in the first round, such as the former Liberal prime minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu, the populist politicians Corneliu Vadim Tudor and Dan Diaconescu and the former head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Teodor Melescanu, who was just appointed foreign minister. Iohannis is supported by the MEP Monica Macovei, herself a candidate in the first round, when she ran as an independent. Elena Udrea, the head of the People’s Movement Party did not support Iohannis explicitly, but advised people to vote against Ponta. In the meantime, everybody is looking forward to Sunday evening, when the winner of the presidential race will be known.

13 November 2014
Presidential Election in Romania

The incumbent PM Victor Ponta and the Mayor of Sibiu Klaus Iohannis are the men of the hour in Romania, and they will continue to be so until November the 16th, when one of them becomes president of the country. Ponta represents the left-wing coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party, the National Union for the Progress of Romania and the Conservatives, which is in power together with the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania.

Iohannis is the candidate of the Christian Liberal Alliance made up of the strongest right-wing parties in opposition, the National Liberal Party and the Liberal Democratic Party. But their political ideologies have grown ever less relevant over time. The key elements to an election win include political experience, personal charisma, the mobilization of the activists in the two camps and, not least, the negotiations with the candidates who left the race. In spite of a significant head start in the first round, of nearly 10%, Victor Ponta is cautious and says the race is now back to square one. In the statement he made Sunday night Ponta reiterated the need to rebuild the solidarity of Romanians, after years of discord under the incumbent president Traian Basescu.

Victor Ponta: “In the coming two weeks I will talk to the people who voted for me as well as to those who voted for other candidates or did not vote at all. I have a responsibility to all of them, and my project, as president, includes all Romanians without exception.”

Nominated as PM in 2012 by a coalition of the Social Democratic Party and the National Liberal Party built on the idea that Traian Basescu was the archenemy of Romania, Victor Ponta will try to destroy the credibility of his challenger by depicting him as a supporter of Basescu’s ideas.

In turn, Klaus Iohannis, an ethnic German from Transylvania, built his campaign on the idea of hard work as opposed to empty talking and lies. In his opinion, the results in the first round confirm Romanians’ thirst for a change:

Klaus Iohannis: “I am the only candidate left in this race who is willing to guarantee the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law. I am calling on all the Romanians who want the law to be complied with, instead of giving all power to one political party alone, to stand by me.”

This statement is an invitation to negotiations, primarily addressing the independent candidate Monica Macovei, a former justice minister seen as a fighter committed to freeing the judiciary from political interference.

But even with Monica Macovei’s votes, Iohannis cannot overlook the capital of candidate Elena Udrea, the leader of the People’s Movement Party, openly supported by President Traian Basescu. Together, the two women running in this election campaign have won some 10% of the votes, which might make a difference in the runoff. And so might the 5% won by the former Liberal PM Calin Popescu Tariceanu, who supports a revival of the Social Liberal Union, and who will almost certainly back Victor Ponta in the runoff. The equation is, nonetheless, quite complicated, and the Hungarian minority will also play a part in its outcome.

3 November 2014