Romanian Pro-EU Parties Reach Agreement to Form Coalition Government

Pro-EU parties in Romania have agreed to create a coalition to thwart a victory by right-wing populists and potentially support a single candidate for the re-run of the recently annulled presidential election.

The ruling left-wing Social Democrats secured the most seats in the parliamentary election on Dec. 1, while three nationalist and right-wing groups also won a significant number of seats.

The parliamentary election was meant to be between two rounds of the presidential election, where NATO-skeptic Calin Georgescu emerged as a leading candidate on Nov. 24.

The second round of the presidential election was scheduled for Dec. 8, but concerns over Russian interference led to the cancellation of the election by the country’s top court, leading to a call for a re-run of the entire process.

The new Romanian government will need to establish a new timeline for the presidential election, likely in the early part of next year.

Current President Klaus Iohannis, who will remain in office until a new president takes over, will appoint a prime minister.

The current legislative term will officially end on Dec. 21.

Recently, the Social Democrats, along with their coalition partners the Liberals, the opposition centrist Save Romania Union, and the ethnic Hungarian party, have agreed to swiftly establish a pro-European government.

“In the upcoming days, the four parties and representatives of national minorities will collaborate on a joint governance program focused on progress and reforms that cater to the needs of Romanian citizens,” stated the parties in a collective declaration.

Experts anticipate that the coalition, despite past disagreements, may struggle to find common ground on policies necessary to reduce Romania’s 8 percent economic deficit, the highest in the EU.

Credit rating agencies and Brussels have recommended tax increases, a move that may not sit well with the public.

The parties are contemplating endorsing a single pro-EU candidate for president in the re-run of the election to counter the nationalist support.

It remains uncertain if Georgescu will be allowed to participate in the election again, as prosecutors are currently investigating his campaign.

Elena Lasconi, the leader of Save Romania Union who was slated to face Georgescu in the nullified presidential runoff, expressed that “Romania is facing a very challenging” period and that cost-cutting and bureaucracy reduction would be part of the governing agenda.

Georgescu labeled the annulment of the presidential election as a “coup” last week, as reported in a written statement to broadcaster Realitatea TV.

Georgescu had single-digit polling figures in October but experienced a meteoric rise to nearly 23 percent in the first-round votes.

If he had won the second round, scheduled for the upcoming Sunday, he would have overseen Romania’s armed forces, chaired the supreme defense council determining military aid, and possessed the authority to appoint the prime minister, chief judges, prosecutors, and secret service leaders.

Additionally, he would have shared control over defense spending with the government, represented Romania at NATO and EU summits, and much more.

During the weekend, Romanian prosecutors conducted searches at various properties as part of the investigation into possible illegal Russian funding in the presidential election.

Moscow has refuted allegations of interference, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissing the investigation into Russia’s alleged interference as baseless.

Classified documents from Romania’s intelligence agency indicated that Georgescu received extensive promotion on TikTok through coordinated accounts, algorithms, and paid promotion.

However, TikTok denied giving him preferential treatment, stating that his account was treated like any other political account.

Reuters contributed to this report.