Elections in Romania

Approximately 43,000 Romanians abroad showed up to vote as of 18:00hrs, EST, on the first day of the presidential election abroad. Adding up to them are almost 25,200 Romanian citizens who voted by post, according to information posted on the platform of the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) after 18:hrs, EST.

Prime Minister Viorica Dancila stated on Sunday, at the "Jean Monet" High School in Bucharest, that she voted for Romania and Romanians, for a team to represent our country in the European Parliament, not one that stands against Romania, mentioning that she made the decision not to vote in the referendum after seeing that President Klaus Iohannis "politicised" this voting through his statements

More than 18 million voters are expected on Sunday to designate 33 representatives of Romania to the European Parliament and to vote in a national consultative referendum convened by President Klaus Iohannis on justice matters. The voters will receive three ballot papers - one for the European elections and two for the referendum.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) announced that it completed on Monday the shipping of the necessary materials for voting to the diplomatic missions and consular offices of Romania, in view of ensuring a smooth running of the voting process abroad in the elections to the European Parliament and the national referendum of 26 May.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) started on Thursday to send the necessary material for the voting abroad in the elections to the European Parliament and the national referendum on Justice, mentioning that it is the biggest number of ballot papers to be sent abroad - over 4 million.

National Liberal Party (PNL) Chairman Klaus Iohannis announced on Tuesday that the Liberals sued the Government for approving the emergency ordinance no. 45/2014 and called for its repeal, arguing that the ordinance illegally changes the legislation regarding the presidential elections in Romania, giving Prime Minister Victor Ponta several advantages in the elections.

The executive board of the opposition centre-right National Liberal Party, PNL, on Monday said Klaus Iohannis would run for the party in the presidential elections in early November.

Romania’s center-left governing coalition has won the European parliamentary elections, with around 37.5 per cent of the vote, according to first preliminary results announced on Monday by the Central Electoral Bureau.

The governing alliance is comprised of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and two minor parties. Together they should get around 16 seats in the European Parliament.

European elections on 25 May will be marked by a high degree of absenteeism in Romania, as only 28 per cent of people say they intend to vote on Sunday, a poll released on Wednesday said.

With one month to go before European elections in Romania, the candidates of 15 parties and alliances and eight independent candidates are gearing up to compete for the elections on 25 May.

Romania will have 32 seats in the future European Parliament, compared to 33 at present.