Jump to content

Elections in Romania

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Romania elects on a national level a head of state – the president – and a legislature. The president is elected for a five-year term by the people (after a change from four-year terms after the 2004 election). The Romanian Parliament (Romanian: Parlamentul României) has two chambers. The Chamber of Deputies (Romanian: Camera Deputaţilor) has currently 330 members (after the last legislative elections), elected for a four-year term by party-list proportional representation on closed lists. The Senate (Romanian: Senatul) has currently 136 members (after the last legislative elections), elected for a four-year term by party-list proportional representation on closed lists.

Romania has a multi-party system, with numerous parties in which no one party often has a chance of gaining power alone, and parties must work with each other to form coalition governments.

On 25 November 2007, for the first time, Romanians elected their representatives to the European Parliament.

Electoral system

[edit]

President

[edit]

The President is elected in a two-round system for a five-year term. Candidates obtaining a majority of 50%+1 of all registered voters in the first round are declared the winner. If none of the candidates achieve this, then a run-off is held between the two contenders with the top scores in the first round. The candidate who obtains any majority of votes in the run-off is declared the winner.

The term of the president is five years. Between 1992 and 2004 the term was of four years, but was increased following the 2003 Constitutional referendum. One person can serve a maximum of two terms, that may be consecutive.

In order to be able to run for the Office of President a candidate must fulfill the following conditions: be a Romanian citizen, be at least 35 years of age (at least on the day of the election), and not have held the office for two terms since 1992, when the 1991 Constitution took effect.[1]

Parliament

[edit]
The former (2008-2012) electoral colleges of the constituencies for the Chamber of Deputies
The former (2008-2012) electoral colleges of the constituencies for the Senate

The Chamber of Deputies and the Senate are elected in constituencies, by universal, equal, direct, secret, and freely expressed suffrage, on the basis of a list system and independent candidatures, according to the principle of closed party list proportional representation. The option for an identical election system of the two Chambers of Parliament confers them the same legitimacy, as both of them are the expression of the will of the same electoral body.

The two Chambers have different numbers of members: the Chamber of Deputies is composed of 330 Deputies, and the Senate of 136 Senators. This differentiation is possible owing to the legal provision of a representation norm differing from one Chamber to the other and due to the seats allotted to the national minorities (a seat in the Chamber of Deputies for each minority) and to the Romanians living abroad (4 seats in the Chamber and 2 in the Senate). Thus, for the election of the Chamber of Deputies the representation norm is of one Deputy to 73,000 inhabitants,[2] and for the election of the Senate, of one Senator to 168,000 inhabitants.[2]

The number of Deputies and Senators to be elected in each constituency is determined on the basis of the representation norm, by relating the number of inhabitants in each constituency to the representation norm. There are 43 constituencies: 1 for each county and the Municipality of Bucharest, and 1 for the Romanians living abroad.[2] In a constituency, the number of Deputies cannot be less than four, and that of Senators, less than two. The number of inhabitants taken into account is that existing on 1 January of the previous year,[2] published in the Statistical Yearbook of Romania. If, at least five months before the election date, a general census has taken place, the number of inhabitants taken into account is that resulting from the census.

The electoral threshold is for parties or candidates running individually 5% on national level or 20% in at least 4 constituencies, and 8-10% for coalitions or electoral alliances.[2]

The Constitution of Romania and the Election Law grant to legally constituted organizations of citizens belonging to national minorities, in case these could not obtain at the election at least one Deputy or Senator mandate, the right to a Deputy mandate, if they have obtained throughout the country a number of votes equal to at least 5% out of the average number of votes validly expressed throughout the country for the election of one Deputy.

The mandates assigned, under the conditions of the Election Law, to organizations of citizens belonging to national minorities are added to the Deputy mandates resulted from the representation norm.

European Parliament

[edit]

To elect the 33 MEPs (35 MEPs between 2007 and 2009, 32 between 2014 and 2019), Romania is considered a single constituency. The system used is closed party list proportional representation, with a 5% threshold of the votes.

Local elections

[edit]

To elect the mayors the first past the post is used since 2012. The candidate who wins most of the votes is declared elected. A runoff is organised if the top two candidates have an equal number of votes.

For the office of Presidents of the County Councils, between 2008 and 2012, and again since 2024, the first pass the post system was used. Until 2008 and again since 2016,[3] the County Council Presidents have been indirectly elected by each County Council.

To elect the Local, and County Councils, the closed party list proportional representation, with a 5% threshold of the votes at the constituency level (city, commune or county).

Voting procedures

[edit]

Irrespective of the type of election, the vote is done by using paper and manual counting. The voter is required to prove his/hers identity using the Identity card (or the previous version, the Identity bulletin), or, for special reasons, the military ID or the passport. After (s)he signs in the permanent, supplemental, or special electoral list, (s)he is handed a voting ballot (buletin de vot) and a stamp that reads VOTAT YYYY TTT (voted); YYYY stands for the year the election is held, and TTT for the type of elections to be held: L for local elections (including partial), P presidential elections, PE for European Parliament election, R for referendums (R.V.U. was used in 2007). For the general election, up to now, there was no additional type indicator, as it is granted most importance.

For the local and parliamentary elections, the voter can vote only at the polling station where (s)he has the permanent address (domiciliu), or the temporary residence (flotant) at least three months old. For the local election, the Romanians outside Romania cannot vote. For the parliamentary election they vote the candidates for the 43rd constituency. For the European Parliament and presidential elections the voters can vote at a different pooling station than the local and parliamentary elections, but only if (s)he is not in the home-town the voting day. Since the 2016 legislative election the Romanian electors residing abroad will be able to cast their vote via mail.[4]

The voting ballot is printed on newspaper paper, monochrome. All the candidates (or the full candidate list) are listed in a lottery type established order (first the parliamentary parties, than the non-parliamentary parties, and at the end, the independent candidates), each in a clearly designated rectangular that consists of the full party/alliance name and logo, and the full candidate name (or full list of candidates' names). Voters express their choice by stamping the rectangle of the party or independent candidate (s)he wishes to vote for. For referendums the same voting procedure is used. Each of the two options (YES – DA and NO – NU) are in a 5×5 cm square, YES on top and NO at the bottom, and the question voted for in the middle of the voting ballot.

Recent elections

[edit]

Election schedule

[edit]
Election type Date Second round date
Local June 9, 2024
Legislative December 1, 2024
European June 9, 2024
Presidential November 24, 2024 December 8, 2024

Latest elections

[edit]
Electoral performance of candidates from the  PSD,  PNL and  PD/PDL in the first round of Romanian presidential elections, 2000─2024

Presidential

[edit]
CandidatePartyFirst roundSecond round
Votes%Votes%
Călin GeorgescuIndependent2,120,40122.940
Elena LasconiSave Romania Union1,772,50019.180
Marcel CiolacuSocial Democratic Party1,769,76019.15
George SimionAlliance for the Union of Romanians1,281,32513.86
Nicolae CiucăNational Liberal Party811,9528.79
Mircea GeoanăIndependent (România Renaște)583,8986.32
Hunor KelemenDemocratic Alliance of Hungarians416,3534.50
Cristian DiaconescuIndependent286,8423.10
Cristian TerheșRomanian National Conservative Party95,7821.04
Ana BirchallIndependent42,8530.46
Ludovic Orban[a]Force of the Right20,0890.22
Sebastian PopescuNew Romania Party14,6830.16
Alexandra PăcuraruAlternative for National Dignity14,5020.16
Silviu PredoiuNational Action League Party11,2460.12
Total9,242,186100.000
Valid votes9,242,18697.64
Invalid/blank votes223,0712.36
Total votes9,465,257100.00
Registered voters/turnout18,008,48052.5618,008,480
Source: Permanent Electoral Authority

European Parliament

[edit]
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
PSD–PNL Alliance4,341,68648.5519
AUR Alliance1,334,90514.936New
United Right Alliance778,9018.713
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania579,1806.482
S.O.S. Romania450,0405.032New
Renewing Romania's European Project334,7033.740New
United Diaspora Party159,9431.790New
Social Liberal Humanist Party132,4021.480New
Patriots Party65,4400.730New
Greater Romania Party59,2720.660
The Right Alternative40,2810.450New
Socialist Romania Alliance (PSRPSDM)37,1190.420
Independents628,7547.031
Total8,942,626100.0033+1
Valid votes8,942,62694.82
Invalid/blank votes488,5515.18
Total votes9,431,177100.00
Registered voters/turnout18,025,32952.32
Source: BEC

Legislative

[edit]

The Social Democratic Party (PSD) won the general election with a little bit over 29% of the seats in both houses of Parliament, but remained in opposition. PNL, USR-PLUS, and UDMR forming a coalition government.

This election saw the return of the county (and Bucharest) level lists, replacing the previous mixed member election. In addition, it also maintained special seats for Romanians living abroad (i.e. the Romanian diaspora), in both houses.

Chamber of Deputies

[edit]
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Social Democratic Party1,705,77728.90110–44
National Liberal Party1,486,40125.1993+24
2020 USR-PLUS Alliance906,96215.3755+25
Alliance for the Union of Romanians535,8289.0833New
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania339,0305.74210
People's Movement Party284,5014.820–18
PRO Romania Social Liberal241,2674.090–20
Ecologist Party of Romania65,8071.1200
Humanist Power Party (Social-Liberal)59,4651.0100
Greater Romania Party32,6540.5500
National Rebirth Alliance21,6620.370New
Green Party20,6140.3500
Romanian Socialist Party19,6930.3300
Party of the Roma "Pro Europe"14,5230.2510
New Romania Party14,0890.2400
League of Albanians of Romania9,0290.1510
Democratic Forum of Germans7,5820.1310
Association of Macedonians of Romania7,1440.1210
Hellenic Union of Romania6,0960.1010
Union of the Ukrainians of Romania5,4570.0910
Democratic Union of Slovaks and Czechs in Romania5,3860.0910
Community of the Lipovan Russians5,1460.0910
Bulgarian Union of Banat–Romania4,8530.0810
Union of Serbs of Romania4,6910.0810
Association of Italians of Romania4,1700.0710
Union of Armenians of Romania3,8200.0610
Cultural Union of Ruthenians of Romania3,7790.0610
Union of Poles of Romania3,7500.0610
New Right Party3,5510.0600
Democratic Turkish Union of Romania3,5390.0610
Federation of the Jewish Communities in Romania3,5090.0610
Union of Croatians of Romania3,3450.0610
Democratic Union of Turkish-Muslim Tatars2,8620.051+1
National Peasant Party Maniu-Mihalache2,7270.0500
Right Alternative2,0050.030New
Social Democratic Workers' Party1,9120.030New
Romanian Nation Party1,7520.030New
Re:Start Romania Party5370.010New
National Unity Bloc2930.0000
Communists' Party2130.000New
National Force Party1480.000New
Independents56,3460.9500
Total5,901,915100.00330+1
Valid votes5,901,91597.43
Invalid/blank votes155,8592.57
Total votes6,057,774100.00
Registered voters/turnout18,964,64231.94
Source: BEC

Senate

[edit]
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Social Democratic Party1,732,27629.3247–20
National Liberal Party1,511,22525.5841+11
2020 USR-PLUS Alliance936,86215.8625+12
Alliance for the Union of Romanians541,9359.1714New
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania348,2625.8990
People's Movement Party291,4844.930–8
PRO Romania Social Liberal244,2254.130–9
Ecologist Party of Romania78,6541.3300
Humanist Power Party (Social-Liberal)70,5361.1900
Greater Romania Party38,4740.6500
National Rebirth Alliance23,7730.400New
Romanian Socialist Party23,0930.3900
Green Party23,0850.3900
New Romania Party19,5160.3300
New Right Party4,3450.0700
Social Democratic Workers' Party3,8550.070New
National Peasant Party Maniu-Mihalache2,8030.050New
Right Alternative2,2330.040New
Romanian Nation Party2,0610.030New
Communists' Party7630.010New
Re:Start Romania Party7530.010New
National Unity Bloc4100.0100
National Force2680.000New
Independents7,4400.1300
Total5,908,331100.001360
Valid votes5,908,33197.53
Invalid/blank votes149,4292.47
Total votes6,057,760100.00
Registered voters/turnout18,964,64231.94
Source: BEC

Local

[edit]
Political party/alliance County-level U.A.T.-level
County Council Presidents County Council Councilors Mayors Local Council Councilors
PSD
25 / 41
Increase5
550 / 1,338
Increase188
1,691 / 3,180
16,499 / 39,900
Increase2679
PNL
12 / 41
Decrease5
436 / 1,338
Decrease53
1,144 / 3,180
12,767 / 39,900
Decrease 1415
UDMR / RMDSZ
4 / 41
Steady
104 / 1,338
Increase12
200 / 3,180
2,524 / 39,900
Increase 164
AUR
0 / 41
Steady
159 / 1,338
Increase159
30 / 3,180
3,526 / 39,900
Increase3447
ADU USR
0 / 41
Steady
46 / 1,338
Decrease62
28 / 3,180
832 / 39,900
Decrease375
PMP
0 / 41
Steady
17 / 1,338
Decrease48
6 / 3,180
238 / 39,900
Decrease 1899
FD
0 / 41
New
17 / 1,338
New
10 / 3,180
New
254 / 39,900
New
FDGR / DFDR
0 / 41
Steady
5 / 1,338
Steady
5 / 3,180
52 / 39,900
Decrease16
PUSL
0 / 41
Steady
2 / 1,338
Increase2
6 / 3,180
225 / 39,900
Increase59
AMT / EMSZ
0 / 41
Steady
2 / 1,338
Decrease5
4 / 3,180
172 / 39,900
Decrease134
REPER
0 / 41
New
0 / 1,338
New
2 / 3,180
New
54 / 39,900
New
AER PER
0 / 41
Steady
0 / 1,338
Decrease5
1 / 3,180
79 / 39,900
Decrease295
PV
0 / 41
Steady
0 / 1,338
Steady
0 / 3,180
38 / 39,900
Decrease79
Romania in Action
0 / 41
Steady
0 / 1,338
Decrease2
1 / 3,180
Increase1
48 / 39,900
Increase21
UIPS
0 / 41
Steady
0 / 1,338
Steady
1 / 3,180
Steady TBD
PPR
0 / 41
New
0 / 1,338
New
1 / 3,180
New TBD New
BSR
0 / 41
New
0 / 1,338
New
1 / 3,180
New TBD New
UUR
0 / 41
Steady
0 / 1,338
Steady
1 / 3,180
Steady TBD
UDSCR
0 / 41
Steady
0 / 1,338
Steady
1 / 3,180
Steady TBD
PRPE
0 / 41
Steady
0 / 1,338
Steady
1 / 3,180
Increase1 TBD
FCM / MPE
0 / 41
New
0 / 1,338
New
1 / 3,180
New TBD New
SOS RO
0 / 41
New
0 / 1,338
New
0 / 3,180
New
149 / 39,900
New
PRO
0 / 41
Steady
0 / 1,338
Decrease56
0 / 3,176
Decrease36
111 / 39,900
Decrease 1774
PRM
0 / 41
Steady
0 / 1,338
Steady
0 / 3,180
22 / 39,900
Decrease9
POL
0 / 41
Steady
0 / 1,338
Decrease2
0 / 3,180
5 / 39,900
Decrease30
AD
0 / 41
Steady
0 / 1,338
Steady
0 / 3,180
4 / 39,900
Decrease9
Curaj
0 / 41
New
0 / 1,338
New
0 / 3,180
New
3 / 39,900
New
Demos
0 / 41
New
0 / 1,338
New
0 / 3,180
New
1 / 39,900
New
Independents
0 / 41
0 / 1,338
43 / 3,180
0 / 39,900

Referendums

[edit]

The Constitution of Romania defines that a referendum has to be called to:[5]

  • suspend the President from office (article 95), or
  • amend the Constitution (article 151)

Moreover, the Constitution defines that a referendum can be called on matters of national interest by the President of Romania after consultation with Parliament (article 90).

There were 8 referendums (and 1 local one) in post-communist Romania:

There was also 1 referendum in the Socialist Republic of Romania, 3 referendums in the Kingdom of Romania and 2 referendums in the Romanian United Principalities.

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Orban withdrew in favour of Lasconi, but was still on the ballot.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "CONSTITUTION OF ROMANIA". cdep.ro.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Legea nr. 208 din 20 iulie 2015 privind alegerea Senatului şi a Camerei Deputaţilor, precum şi pentru organizarea şi funcţionarea Autorităţii Electorale Permanente" (PDF) (in Romanian). Romanian Permanent Electoral Authority. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  3. ^ "Legea alegerilor locale, modificată: Primarii, aleşi într-un singur tur. Preşedinţii CJ, aleşi de către membrii CJ" (in Romanian). 6 May 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  4. ^ "Legea votului prin corespondenţă a fost PROMULGATĂ de preşedintele Klaus Iohannis". Mediafax.ro (in Romanian). 19 November 2015.
  5. ^ "Constitution of Romania" (PDF). Party Law in Modern Europe. Retrieved 5 November 2013.

Sources

[edit]
[edit]