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.

Parliament's weekly agenda
News in English 31 Martie 2025, 15:34

Parliament's weekly agenda

The legislative proposal on tougher penalties for drivers who get behind the wheel after taking drugs will go before senators...

Parliament's weekly agenda
INFOMama app, health information and services for pregnant women and mothers
News in English 31 Martie 2025, 15:33

INFOMama app, health information and services for pregnant women and mothers

The organization "Save the Children" Romania launches on Tuesday, at the Senate, the mobile application INFOMama,...

INFOMama app, health information and services for pregnant women and mothers
Opening ceremony of the multinational exercise "Sea Shield" in Constanta
News in English 31 Martie 2025, 15:33

Opening ceremony of the multinational exercise "Sea Shield" in Constanta

"Sea Shield 25" includes combat sequences that will test the coordination and response capabilities of the...

Opening ceremony of the multinational exercise "Sea Shield" in Constanta
Ilie Bolojan: Thanks to the NATO shield, Romania has become a safe place
News in English 31 Martie 2025, 04:01

Ilie Bolojan: Thanks to the NATO shield, Romania has become a safe place

Romania will continue to contribute to the promotion of global security and democratic values, interim President Ilie Bolojan...

Ilie Bolojan: Thanks to the NATO shield, Romania has become a safe place
The electoral period for by-elections has started in 19 municipalities
News in English 31 Martie 2025, 03:59

The electoral period for by-elections has started in 19 municipalities

The electoral period for the by-elections that will be organized in 19 localities in 14 counties of the country on May 4, on...

The electoral period for by-elections has started in 19 municipalities
Land and property owners will be able to get their registry extracts online for free
News in English 31 Martie 2025, 03:58

Land and property owners will be able to get their registry extracts online for free

Owners of land and real estate will be able to get their land register extracts free of charge at the land registry counter...

Land and property owners will be able to get their registry extracts online for free
Internship at the Romanian Government
News in English 29 Martie 2025, 20:52

Internship at the Romanian Government

Young people interested in how public administration works can apply for a new edition of the internship program at the...

Internship at the Romanian Government
If the current majority coalition remains on the defensive, it will make a serious mistake, says Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu
News in English 29 Martie 2025, 20:51

If the current majority coalition remains on the defensive, it will make a serious mistake, says Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu

If the current majority coalition will remain on the defensive, it will make a serious mistake, says Prime Minister Marcel...

If the current majority coalition remains on the defensive, it will make a serious mistake, says Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu