Ascultă Radio România Actualitaţi Live

The election campaign enters final week

Presidential candidates in Romania now have less than a week to inspire Romania’s increasingly apathetic electorate.

The election campaign enters final week
14 candidates have enrolled in the race for Cotroceni. Photo: rri.ro.

Articol de Radio România Internaţional, 28 Octombrie 2014, 07:15

Next Sunday, more than 18 million Romanian voters are expected at the polls to elect their president for the following five years.

The election campaign started on the 3rd of December and has now entered its final week, with the candidates to the highest office trying to persuade voters against the backdrop of declining voter turnout in recent years.

While the euphoria of the anti-communist revolution led to an 85% turnout in the 1990 elections, voter turnout has decreased gradually to reach 58% in 2000 and drop below 55% at the latest presidential elections, in 2009.

This year, faced with one political scandal after another and an increasing number of prosecutions against corrupt politicians, voters seem even more indifferent than ever, as they believe the country will not be heading in the right direction irrespective of who wins the elections.

Going to the polls is proof that people care about the future of their country and the community in which they live, says the Central Electoral Body.

By November 1st, the end date of the election campaign for the first round of elections, candidates are trying to inspire voters by means of election posters, rallies and radio and TV debates.

On 2nd of November, 14 candidates are running for the presidential seat occupied by Traian Basescu for the last ten years: 2 of the 14 candidates are running on behalf of political alliances, 8 are supported by political parties and another 4 are running as independent.

The current leftist Prime Minister Victor Ponta represents the alliance of the Social Democratic Party, the National Union for the Progress of Romania and the Conservative Party, while Klaus Iohannis, the ethnic German mayor of Sibiu, represents the Christian Liberal Alliance, in opposition.

For the first time in Romania’s history, two women are running for president: Elena Udrea, on behalf of the People’s Movement Party, and MEP and former justice minister Monica Macovei, who is running as an independent.

Also for the first time, the list of presidential candidates includes a former head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, namely Teodor Melescanu.

The senate speaker Calin Popescu Tariceanu, running as an independent, is also on this list. 18,550 polling stations have been set up in Romania and 294 abroad, 21 million ballots have been printed and 94,000 “voted” stamps have been created.

If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, a second-round runoff will be held on the 16th of November.

The government may issue simple ordinances during the parliamentary recess
News in English 30 Iunie 2025, 16:41

The government may issue simple ordinances during the parliamentary recess

The Legal Committee of the Chamber of Deputies has given a favorable report on the draft law empowering the government to...

The government may issue simple ordinances during the parliamentary recess
The reforestation program is available until January 2026
News in English 30 Iunie 2025, 16:40

The reforestation program is available until January 2026

The reforestation program, open until January next year, helps landowners combat desertification and soil aridification,...

The reforestation program is available until January 2026
Trade unions ask President Nicusor Dan to mediate a possible social conflict
News in English 30 Iunie 2025, 16:38

Trade unions ask President Nicusor Dan to mediate a possible social conflict

All trade union confederations are calling for an emergency meeting on Monday between their leaders and Prime Minister Ilie...

Trade unions ask President Nicusor Dan to mediate a possible social conflict
170 passengers have been stuck on a plane at Sibiu International Airport for several hours
News in English 30 Iunie 2025, 16:37

170 passengers have been stuck on a plane at Sibiu International Airport for several hours

170 passengers have been waiting for several hours on a plane at Sibiu International Airport after the crew decided to turn...

170 passengers have been stuck on a plane at Sibiu International Airport for several hours
The government will announce austerity measures
News in English 29 Iunie 2025, 13:54

The government will announce austerity measures

Next week, the government will announce a package of measures to reduce the budget deficit and improve access to European...

The government will announce austerity measures
Romania and France reconfirm strategic partnership
News in English 29 Iunie 2025, 13:53

Romania and France reconfirm strategic partnership

During a telephone conversation on Friday, Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barot...

Romania and France reconfirm strategic partnership
General Assembly of Judges and Prosecutors convened on Monday
News in English 28 Iunie 2025, 13:38

General Assembly of Judges and Prosecutors convened on Monday

The judges and prosecutors sections of the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM) decided on Monday to convene the General...

General Assembly of Judges and Prosecutors convened on Monday
Meeting of the National Council of the National Liberal Party
News in English 28 Iunie 2025, 13:37

Meeting of the National Council of the National Liberal Party

The National Council of PNL is meeting on Saturday to vote on a new statute that will allow liberals to bring new people into...

Meeting of the National Council of the National Liberal Party