Sovereignty flows into Parliament through many mouths

The parliamentary elections in Romania that took place on Sunday brought significant changes to the national political landscape, and the real winners of the election were the sovereignists, who managed to introduce three political parties into Parliament - AUR, SOS Romania and POT. According to the results, after counting and centralizing the votes from all precincts, the distribution of seats in Parliament is as follows:

- Social Democratic Party (PSD): 35 seats in the Senate and 80 in the Chamber of Deputies, with a percentage of 22.31% of the votes

- Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR): 28 seats in the Senate and 65 in the Chamber of Deputies, obtaining 18.29% of the votes

- National Liberal Party (PNL): 22 seats in the Senate and 51 in the Chamber of Deputies, with 14.29% of the votes

- Unione Salvati România (USR): 19 seats in the Senate and 43 in the Chamber of Deputies, accumulating 12.25% of the votes

- S.O.S. Romania: 12 seats in the Senate and 27 in the Chamber of Deputies, with 7.75% of the vote

- Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR): 10 seats in the Senate and 23 in the Chamber of Deputies, obtaining 6.39% of the vote

- Young People's Party (POT): 10 seats in the Senate and 22 in the Chamber of Deputies, with 6.38% of the vote.

A notable aspect of these elections is the entry into Parliament of the S.O.S. Romania party, led by Diana Şoşoacă, which exceeded the 5% electoral threshold, obtaining in some counties over 10% of the vote.

These results indicate a fragmentation of the political spectrum, suggesting the need for complex negotiations to form a stable parliamentary majority. The rise of new parties and those with anti-system agendas signals a change in the electorate's preferences, forcing traditional parties to reevaluate their strategies and policies to meet citizens' expectations.

PSD will have the most mandates in the future Parliament, while sovereignist parties can gather 162 votes. According to the first estimates related to mandates, made by PNL and USR, there may be several formulas for the future majority in the legislative forum. If they reach an agreement, PSD - PNL - USR - UDMR - the group of national minorities would obtain a slight majority of over 300 votes in Parliament. The majority is obtained with 234 votes. The only problem noted by political leaders would be that the Opposition would be represented only by sovereignist parties.

Compared to the parliamentary elections four years ago, we note the following:

- The Social Democratic Party (PSD) recorded a loss of over six percentage points, from 28.9% in 2020 to approximately 22.31% in 2024

- The National Liberal Party (PNL): Suffered a significant decrease of 11 percentage points, from 25.2% in 2020 to approximately 14.29% in 2024.

- The Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) is the real winner of this year's parliamentary elections, by over 9 percentage points, from 9% in 2020 to approximately 18.29% in 2024.

- The Save Romania Union (USR), lost over 2 percentage points, from 15% in 2020 to approximately 12.25% in 2024.

- The Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) registered a small increase, from 5.7% in 2020 to approximately 6.39% in 2024, which means that the leaders of this formation managed to better mobilize their own community in this year's vote through their messages.

• Polarization of voters, joy of sovereignists

The results outline three types of voters: one anti-system, one dependent on state funds and another enclaved, which highlights the economic and social differences between these types. Although the vote was in favor of pro-European parties, sovereignists continue to catalyze the dissatisfaction of the population, which requires increased attention from the political class.

Voter turnout was 52.36%, marking a significant increase compared to previous elections, reflecting an increased interest of citizens in the political future of the country.

The results of the parliamentary elections, which took place on Sunday, December 1, reflect the deep polarization of Romanian society, as out of the seven political parties that will make up the future Legislature, three are part of the new sovereignist political current. The rise of these political parties was possible following the erosion of the PSD-PNL alliance in government, with both parties losing considerable percentages in Sunday's elections, percentages that are found in the AUR right and that have confirmed the entry into Parliament of SOS and POT - the political party that supports the independent Călin Georgescu in the presidential elections.

A special situation arose yesterday when sources within the General Prosecutor's Office sent to several media sites that the public institution will take action in the event of Diana Şoşoacă's participation in the ceremony in Tâncăbeşti to commemorate Corneliu Zelea Codreanu, the head of the Legionary Movement. The situation in question could lead to the lifting of the parliamentary immunity of the current MEP, who is also in first place on the Senate list of the SOS Romania party, which entered the future Parliament after the December 1 elections. The lifting of parliamentary immunity could be requested in the event of the final conviction of Ms. Şoşoacă to the criminal penalty provided for by the legislation in force for the crime of promoting the cult of fascist and Nazi individuals and movements.

• International echoes of the parliamentary elections in Romania

The international press widely covered the results of the parliamentary elections in Romania, held on December 1, 2024, highlighting both the success of pro-Western parties and the significant rise of far-right formations.

The Associated Press reported that the pro-Western parties obtained the most votes and intend to form a government coalition, in the context of a notable increase in support for far-right nationalists. The cited source highlights the difficulties in forming a government majority, given the historical divergences between pro-Western parties and the increase in the representation of the far right in parliament.

The Times noted that the PSD obtained 26% of the votes, managing to counter the advance of the far right nationalists, AUR, who obtained 19%. The publication recalls the surprising victory of the pro-Russian populist Călin Georgescu in the first round of the presidential elections, which generated concerns about Romania's political stability and its pro-European orientation.

The Financial Times highlighted that although the mainstream parties maintain their control over Parliament, the far right nationalist formations have registered significant gains. The cited source mentions the complexity of the negotiations to form a government coalition that would exclude the participation of the far right and mentions concerns about Russian influence in the context of the presidential elections.

Reuters provided an insight into the post-election process, explaining that after parliamentary elections, the president appoints a prime minister who must obtain parliamentary approval for the future government. The article highlights the challenges in forming a majority government, given political fragmentation and the rise of far-right parties.

Le Monde reported on the presidential elections, noting that pro-European Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu was eliminated from the race, while pro-Russian candidate Călin Georgescu won first place in the first round. The publication highlights the implications of these results for Romania's political future and its European alignment.

The German press also extensively analyzed the results of Romania's parliamentary elections, held on December 1, 2024, highlighting both the performance of traditional parties and the rise of populist and far-right formations.

Deutsche Welle (DW) highlighted that although the Social Democratic Party (PSD) won the most votes, forming a stable government coalition will be a challenge, given the fragmentation of the political spectrum and the growing influence of populist parties. DW also noted that voter turnout was high, reflecting citizens' increased interest in the country's political future.

Die Zeit highlighted the rise of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), which won a significant percentage of the vote, consolidating its position on the Romanian political scene, a result that reflects a regional trend of increasing popularity of nationalist and Eurosceptic parties in Eastern Europe.

Berliner Zeitung analyzed the impact of the results on Romania's foreign policy, noting that the future government coalition will have to navigate between European commitments and domestic pressures generated by nationalist parties. The article highlighted the importance of maintaining a pro-European path in the current geopolitical context.

The Austrian daily Der Standard offered an insight into the economic challenges that the new government will face, including the need to reduce the budget deficit and implement structural reforms required by the European Union. The publication noted that political stability will be essential for attracting investment and maintaining economic growth.

In the Hungarian press, publications such as Magyar Nemzet and Nepszava analyzed the results of the elections in Romania, highlighting both the success of pro-European parties and the growing influence of nationalist formations, in terms of the implications for bilateral relations between our country and Hungary and for the Hungarian community in Romania.

The Moscow press limited itself yesterday to presenting only the result of the parliamentary elections in our country, without Kremlin officials offering any statement. Ria Novosti, TASS, Izvestia and Kommersant note that in the upcoming Parliament from Bucharest seven political formations will enter, three of which are part of the sovereignist political current.

In conclusion, the international press reflected the complexity of the Romanian political landscape post-elections, highlighting both the efforts of pro-Western parties to form a stable government, as well as the challenges generated by the rise of far-right formations and external influences.