Basescu: Extremist parties to weigh heavily in EP unless populists and Socialists form an alliance

President Traian Basescu said on Tuesday that extremist parties will have a major say in the European Parliament, unless the Socialists and populists join forces in an alliance.

"The results show that the European People's Party [EPP] has won the elections, without having the absolute majority; still, it is the party with the largest representation in the European Parliament, therefore it is likely that in the process of the formation of the new institutions, this weighs heavily in the designation of the European Commission's President. The EPP obtained 214 seats in Parliament, the Socialists obtained 190 seats and the Liberals 64, while nine extremist parties hold the rest, which means that they will have an important say unless the EPP forms an alliance with the Socialists," Basescu said on the "Henri Coanda" Airport.

The President explained that a reflection process starts today in Brussels on the designation of the President of the European Commission.

"It's a process that will probably last until the end of June. An EPP representative has the first chance and we will support this option without reservation; throughout this period, preparations for choosing the President of the European Commission need to be managed in relationship with the Parliament too," said the Romanian head of state. AGERPRES