Next_Romanian_legislative_election

2024 Romanian parliamentary election

2024 Romanian parliamentary election

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Parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in Romania on 8 December 2024.[1][2]

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Background

Following the previous legislative elections held in December 2020, the Cîțu Cabinet was appointed, backed by a centre-right coalition of three Romanian political parliamentary parties as follows: the conservative liberal National Liberal Party (PNL), the progressive liberal/neoliberal USR PLUS (which subsequently switched back to the old USR acronym in late 2021), and the Hungarian minority-oriented Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR/RMDSZ).[3]

The Cîțu Cabinet fell in November 2021 after a record-voted motion of no confidence (the most signed one in the political history of post-1989 Romania). Shortly afterwards, the Ciucă Cabinet, backed by the National Coalition for Romania (CNR) comprising the National Liberal Party (PNL), the Social Democratic Party (PSD), and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR/RMDSZ), was appointed and it lasted until June 2023. On the 15 June 2023, the Ciolacu Cabinet was invested by vote in the Parliament. The governmental coalition was also reduced to two main parties, after the recent withdrawal of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR/RMDSZ), a political organization representing the Hungarian minority in Romania, which subsequently voted against the incumbent Ciolacu Cabinet.

In Romania, the President also plays an active role in national politics, in spite of the constitutional prerogatives which hold that he should act as an arbiter and/or mediator instead, also not being affiliated with any political party during his term(s), formally/officially or in any other regards as well. Following the December 2019 presidential election, Klaus Iohannis, a former president of the National Liberal Party (PNL), was re-elected for another five years, being supported by the PNL and the Democratic Forum of Germans in Romania (FDGDR/DFDR). Nonetheless, he is not eligible for a third consecutive term in 2024 or any longer in the future for that matter.

Both parliamentary and presidential terms will end in late 2024. Hence, both election types could be held on the same days, which would be the first time for such an electoral concatenation in Romania since the 2004 general election.[4] Nonetheless, as of late, this proposal seems very unlikely, as it has to be approved in the parliament and so far there has not been any consensus reached upon this matter between the main governing political parties.

Organization

On 18 December 2019, the head of the AEP stated that internet voting would be implemented for the 2024 electoral year.[5]

Events

Governmental crisis (September–November 2021)

The Cîțu cabinet, which took office on 23 December 2020,[6] comprised two conservative liberal parties, namely the PNL and the UDMR/RMDSZ as well as the progressive liberal USR PLUS (which, after its latest congress held in early October 2021, returned to its initial official denomination, more specifically USR).[7]

In September 2021, a major rift within the coalition led to the onset of the 2021 Romanian political crisis. Prime Minister Cîțu, with the unconditional support of President Klaus Iohannis, sacked Justice minister Stelian Ion.[8][9] All the other USR ministers withdrew from government by 7 September 2021,[10] which left the Cîțu cabinet in minority (with the limited support of PNL and UDMR/RMDSZ). Subsequently, two motions of no-confidence were filed, one by USR PLUS and the extremist-populist AUR and the second by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) with the three parties holding together a majority of seats needed for the dismissal of Prime Minister Cîțu and his minority cabinet.[11]

Furthermore, Florin Cîțu was contested within the PNL but, in counterpart, received full support of President Iohannis, as he also sought to obtain the PNL leadership from previous PNL president Ludovic Orban. On 25 September 2021, Cîțu defeated Orban in the leadership vote of the PNL Congress.[12] USR PLUS also held a leadership vote where Dacian Cioloș was elected new party president with 50.9% of the votes over Dan Barna, and the party's name switched to USR again.[13][14] In addition, the party line was still to remove Cîțu as Prime Minister.[15]

On 4 October 2021, Cîțu stated that any collaboration with USR was now impossible.[16] According to the incumbent USR Mayor of Brașov, Allen Coliban, Cîțu's minority government held thanks for its limited existence only to the PSD.[17] Nevertheless, on 5 October 2021, the PSD motion of no-confidence was put to a vote, and won a large majority of 281, corresponding to PSD, USR, and AUR. Cîțu continued to serve as acting Prime Minister until the next government, more specifically the Ciucă Cabinet representing the so-called National Coalition for Romania (CNR), was sworn in on 25 November 2021.[18]

New political parties

In July 2021, the nationalist[19] Romanian Village Party (RoSAT), led by Marian Vișu-Iliescu, was launched, claiming to represent the interests of peasants, ignored by the major parties.[20]

On 19 September 2021, former PSD president Liviu Dragnea, along with former ally Codrin Ștefănescu, launched the Alliance for the Homeland (Romanian: Alianța pentru Patrie, ApP), a split-off from PSD and "an alternative" to it according to both.[21]

On 3 October 2021, former PNL Prime Minister Ludovic Orban, who had just been defeated for the leadership of the PNL by Florin Cîțu at the 2021 PNL party congress, stated that he is willing "to create a new political construction which would be ready to continue PNL's legacy".[22][23] In this regard, at that time it was thought that he could be following Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu, another former national liberal Prime Minister who subsequently left the PNL in order to establish his own political party, more specifically the Liberal Reformist Party (PLR), subsequently known as the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE) after its merger with the Conservative Party (PC), a now defunct political party which was eventually absorbed by the PNL during late March 2022.[24]

In addition, before further concrete steps on behalf of Orban, various commentators stated that Orban's faction could part ways with the main PNL should he not be designated PM after Cîțu's dismissal by the Parliament (which also occurred in the meantime). Subsequently, after PNL started negotiations with the PSD, more and more MPs resigned from the PNL and joined Orban's faction in the Parliament. Orban's new party was officially registered in December 2021 and is called "Force of the Right" (or FD for short).[25]

In November 2021, a new party called NOW (Romanian: ACUM) was formed. It has a progressive and green ideology.[26]

Additionally, in November 2021 the S.O.S. Romania party was founded by Maricel Viziteu, Adeluța and Gabriel Gib. However, it became later known on the Romanian political scene in May 2022, after senator Diana Iovanovici Șoșoacă, elected on the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) list, joined the party, and eventually became its leader.[27]

Former PSD president and Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă has, in the meantime, become president of the Nation People Together (NOI) party.[28]

After the March 2022 congress of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians, Dan Grăjdeanu, the president of the Orthodox Brotherhood NGO, announced that his NGO will end the collaboration with AUR and launch its own political party. On 17 April 2022, a party affiliated with the Brotherhood was created: the National Movement. It is led by Mihai Tîrnoveanu.[29][30][31]

Former independent/technocratic Prime Minister and PLUS/USR PLUS/USR member (as well as former USR president) Dacian Cioloș officially quit the USR on 31 May 2022 to form a brand new party called REPER.[32] Several MEPs (more specifically 4) who have been previously elected on the lists of the 2020 USR PLUS Alliance at the 2019 European Parliament election in Romania have sided with Dacian Cioloș for his newly established political project, but still remain affiliated with the Renew group in the European Parliament. REPER can thus be considered (and is, in actuality) a splinter of USR.

On 10 July 2022, ex-AUR deputy Mihai Lasca launched his own political party, called Patriots of the Romanian People.[33] The party was labelled as Eurosceptic, Romanian nationalist and anti-LGBT.[34]

The Green Party (PV) was also relaunched[35] under the new name of the Green Party (The Greens) - (Romanian: Partidul Verde - Verzii)). The party is currently led by two co-presidents, more specifically Marius Lazăr and Lavinia Cosma (former USR member between 2016 and 2019). The party first appeared in the polls in the beginning of 2023.[36]

In late September 2023, PNL vice-president and deputy Ben Oni Ardelean resigned from the party and announced that he is initiating a new political project.[37] Consequently, he recently launched an allegedly conservative political party called Hope's Movement (Romanian: Mișcarea Speranței) for the disillusioned electorate in Romania.[38]

Civil society activists announced at the end of November the launch of the Party for Nature, People and Animals (Romanian: Partidul pentru Natură, Oameni și Animale - NOA). The party is temporarily led by Lucian Rad, former county councilor in Brașov.[39]

New political alliances

In May 2022, the Christian Democratic National Peasants' Party (PNȚCD) announced that it will prepare a new political alliance with the Alliance for the Homeland (ApP, formerly known under the acronym PAINE)[40] for the forthcoming Romanian parliamentary elections scheduled to take place in late 2024. The two parties will allegedly form a so-called "sovereignist" block which will oppose the National Coalition for Romania (CNR).[41] In late August 2022 however, Liviu Dragnea, strongly associated in the past with the party at an unofficial level, had decided to indefinitely distance himself from the ApP.[42]

In June 2023, incumbent USR leader Cătălin Drulă stated that the Save Romania Union (USR) wants to form a right-wing pole able to win the 2024 elections.[43] The alleged right-wing pole is envisaged to form around the USR and become the winner of all the elections scheduled in 2024 in Romania, according to the incumbent USR leader. In these regards, discussions have already been carried out between USR and the People's Movement Party (PMP).[44] The right-wing alliance proposed by the USR is presented as an alternative to the current ruling CNR coalition formed by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the National Liberal Party (PNL). The respective right-wing or centre-right alliance/electoral block might also include the Force of the Right (FD). It was later on reported in October 2023 by a USR member that the Force of the Right (FD) will be included in the respective alliance/electoral block at national level as well as the fact that he does not exclude punctual future collaborations on several political measures with the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR/RMDSZ).[45]

On 4 July 2023, the Socialist Romania Alliance (ARS), formed by the Romanian Socialist Party (PSR) and the Social Democratic Workers' Party (PMSD) was registered.[46]

On 23 September 2023, various extra-parliamentary far-right, ultra-nationalist and traditionalist conservative groups announced the creation of the Nationalist Bloc, led by Bogdan Mihai Alecu.[47][48][49][50]

On 14 November 2023, at an AUR press conference, Lidia Vadim Tudor (the daughter of the late Corneliu Vadim Tudor), former Minister for Business Environment Ilan Laufer (who is also the president of the National Identity Force), businessman Muhammad Murad, entrepreneur Sorin Constantinescu and Sorin Ilieșiu, as well as deputies Florică Calotă (who was elected on PNL list), Daniel Forea (elected on PSD list), Dumitru Viorel Focșa (elected on AUR, but later left) and senators Ovidiu Iosif Florean (elected on PNL list), Călin Gheorghe Matieș (elected on PSD list) and Vasilică Potecă (elected on PNL list) announced that they are joining AUR for the next election.[51] Later, on 21 November, AUR announced, together with the Romanian Village Party, National Rebirth Alliance, Romanian Republican Party and National Peasants' Alliance the creation of a Sovereigntist Alliance to contest at the 2024 Romanian parliamentary election.[52][53]

On 25 November 2023, several extra-parliamentary political parties announced the creation of the Romanian Sovereigntist Bloc, which includes: Right Republican Party, Romanian Nationhood Party, Coalition for the Nation, Reformist Party, Homeland Party, Christian Social Popular Union Party.[54][55]

On 9 December 2023, leaders of Green Party (Verzii) and Ecologist Party of Romania (PER) announced a new political alliance on political scene for 2024 European Parliament elections, AER for Romania Alliance .[56]

On 14 December 2023, Save Romania Union, Force of the Right and the People's Movement Party officially announced the creation of a right-wing electoral alliance to contest in the 2024 elections.[57] On 18 December, the alliance was formally named as United Right Alliance.[58]

On 14 March 2024, the Christian Democratic National Peasants' Party formed an alliance with the Strong Romania Party.[59]

Political groups

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Electoral system

The 330 members of the Chamber of Deputies are elected by several methods: 308 are elected from 42 multi-member constituencies based on counties and Bucharest, using proportional representation, four are elected using proportional representation from a constituency representing Romanians living abroad. Parties must pass a threshold of 5% of the national vote or at least 20% of the vote in four constituencies. Further seats (currently 18) can be added for ethnic minority groups that compete in the elections and pass a special (lower) threshold (calculated as 10% of the votes needed to obtain one of the regular 312 seats).[60][failed verification]

The 136 members of the Senate are also elected using party-list proportional representation, but from 43 constituencies based on the 41 counties (a total of 121 seats), Bucharest (13 seats), and one for Romanians living abroad (two seats).[60]

Opinion polls

The graphic below details the current overall voting intention of the Romanian electorate for the forthcoming 2024 Romanian parliamentary elections, with aggregate data correct as of mid June 2023:

See also

Notes

  1. Both are MEPs
  2. Pambuccian has been the parliamentary leader of the national minorities' group since 1996 onwards.
  3. Including one new seat recently occupied in the Chamber by RO.AS.IT (through party switching).
  4. as per the 2020 results
  5. Percentage for senators
  6. Percentage for deputies
  7. Percentage for senators
  8. Percentage for deputies

References

  1. "Radio Romania International - The full election calendar, made public". Radio Romania International. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
  2. Departamentul Politic al Mediafax (23 December 2020). "Noul Guvern de coaliție condus de Florin Cîțu a fost învestit de Parlament. Mesaj scurt al lui Iohannis, la ceremonia de învestire". Mediafax (in Romanian). Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  3. Redacția G4Media (9 June 2020). "Victor Ponta: 2024 e un an special, se întâmplă o dată la 20 de ani să ai toate alegerile. Eu dacă ratez momentul 2024, ca om politic, nu îmi mai vine rândul peste 20 de ani". G4Media (in Romanian). Retrieved 20 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. G.S. (18 December 2019). "Șeful AEP: În 2024, când toate cele patru rânduri de alegeri vor fi în același an, vom avea vot pe internet". HotNews.ro (in Romanian). Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  5. Dan Popa (16 September 2021). "PNL, acest PSD de dreapta. Rivale, dar își unesc puterile". Ziare.com (in Romanian). Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  6. Bogdan Păcurar (30 September 2021). "Orban: Florin Cîțu trebuia să-și dea demisia din momentul în care USR PLUS a decis să se retragă din coaliţie". Digi24.ro (in Romanian). Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  7. Andreea Ghiorghe (7 September 2021). "Miniştrii USR PLUS şi-au depus demisiile din Guvernul Cîţu. Barna: "Am făcut ceea ce am anunţat"". Adevărul (in Romanian). Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  8. Robert Kiss (20 September 2021). "PSD va depune moțiune de cenzură dacă cea inițiată de USR PLUS și AUR este declarată neconstituțională". Digi24.ro (in Romanian). Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  9. Redacția Digi24.ro (25 September 2021). "Florin Cîțu este noul președinte al PNL. Are aproape 1.000 de voturi în plus față de Ludovic Orban". Digi24.ro (in Romanian). Retrieved 26 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. Laura Buciu (4 October 2021). "Cîțu: Guvernarea cu USR devine imposibilă după decizia de marți". Mediafax (in Romanian). Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  11. "AUR ARE DE UNDE ALEGE ALIAȚI: CUM A BUBUIT ÎN ULTIMII DOI ANI OFERTA DE PARTIDE NAȚIONALISTE". Inpolitics.ro (in Romanian). 20 September 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  12. Alexandra Andronie (20 September 2021). "Liviu Dragnea a anunțat numele partidului pe care i-l construiește Codrin Ștefănescu" (in Romanian). Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  13. Liviu Cojan (3 October 2021). "Orban amenință că își face partid: Sunt gata să creez o construcție care să continue trecutul PNL". Digi24.ro (in Romanian). Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  14. Redacția Aktual24 (22 March 2022). "PNL a inghitit oficial ALDE, cele doua partide au fuzionat. Rares Bogdan a fost in comisia PNL de negociere cu ALDE". Aktual24.ro (in Romanian).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. Redacția Aktual24.ro (14 December 2021). "Ludovic Orban si-a lansat noul partid: Forta Dreptei. "Au fost in stare sa voteze un Guvern in care e domnul Grindeanu, cu doamna Firea, personaje care sunt profund displacute"". Aktual24.ro (in Romanian). Retrieved 15 December 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. Bogdan Păcurar (12 April 2022). "Viorica Dăncilă a anunțat că nu primește pesediști în partidul ei: "În acest moment nu"" (in Romanian). Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  17. Redacția Digi24 (31 May 2022). "Dacian Cioloș și oamenii lui și-au dat demisia din USR. Aceștia anunță înființarea partidului REPER". Digi24.ro (in Romanian). Retrieved 31 May 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. C.L.B. (27 September 2023). "Ben Oni Ardelean își anunță plecarea din PNL: Inițiez un nou proiect politic". Digi24.ro (in Romanian). Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  19. Alexandru Costea (29 September 2023). "Fostul deputat PNL Ben Oni Ardelean a lansat un nou proiect politic conservator". Digi24.ro. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  20. Mihăescu, Alexandru (2023-11-20). "Partidul pentru Natură, Oameni și Animale - lansat de un fost consilier județean USR din Brașov". G4Media.ro (in Romanian). Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  21. Cătălin Ghiță (17 July 2021). "Liviu Dragnea isi face partid!PAINE – Partidul pentru Apărarea Independenței Naționale în Europa". Tribuna Calafatului (in Romanian). Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  22. Monica Bonea (15 May 2022). "PNȚCD anunță că pregătește o alianță politică cu partidul lui Liviu Dragnea". Digi24.ro (in Romanian). Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  23. Bogdan Păcurar (17 June 2023). "USR vrea să formeze un pol de dreapta care să câștige alegerile din 2024". Digi24.ro (in Romanian). Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  24. Redacția HotNews.ro (7 June 2023). "USR și PMP negociază o alianță de dreapta ca alternativă la coaliția PSD-PNL". HotNews.ro (in Romanian). Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  25. Bogdan Păcurar (BP) (19 October 2023). "Adrian Giurgiu (USR Mureş): Vom crea un pol de dreapta cu PMP şi Forţa Dreptei la nivel naţional". Digi24.ro (in Romanian). Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  26. "Alianța România Socialistă" (PDF). Tribunalul București. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  27. Despa, Oana; Gočanin, Sonja (7 November 2023). "Grupările românești de extremă dreapta se strâng sub o singură umbrelă - Blocul Naționalist". Europa Liberă România.

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