Romania’s pro-European parties agree to form a coalition government Election News

The coalition will allow one candidate in the new presidential election.

Romania’s pro-European parties have agreed to form a majority government in a move that will shut out far-right nationalists.

The Social Democratic Party, or PSD – which came out on top in the December 1 election – reached an agreement on Tuesday to form a coalition with the National Liberal Party (PNL), the reformist Save Romania Union (USR). , and the small ethnic Hungarian party UDMR.

The election also saw three opposition parties and hardliners, some of whom are extremely pro-Russian, winning more than a third of the seats.

The country’s parliamentary elections followed shortly after the presidential vote in which the anti-NATO candidate, Calin Georgescu, won the first round, sparking allegations of election fraud and Russian interference.

Days before the December 8 presidential election, the Constitutional Court annulled the presidential race.

“In the coming days, the four organizations and the representatives of the national races will work on a single management plan based on development and reforms that will take into account the priorities of the citizens of Romania,” said a statement from the newly formed coalition.

The coalition said the parties could support a “common pro-European member” in the new presidential election.

Whether or not Georgescu will be allowed to run in the new vote is still uncertain, as prosecutors investigate his campaign.

Elena Lasconi, the USR leader who was supposed to face Georgescu in the annulled presidential election, said after the agreement was reached that “Romania is facing a very difficult time” and that reducing state spending and reducing governance will be part of the governing plan.

Analysts expect that the four parties, which often clash on policy issues, will find it difficult to agree on certain economic measures.

The new government will also create a new calendar for presidential elections, which may be held in the first half of 2025.

Outgoing President Klaus Iohannis, who will serve until a new president is sworn in, will appoint the prime minister. The current legislative term ends on December 21.