Four pro-European parties have formed a coalition to prevent the victory of the pro-Russian candidate, Kelin Georgescu.
According to Politico, recent polls indicate that he leads with 57.8% of the votes, ahead of reformer Elena Lascu. The coalition includes the Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party, the reformist "Union for the Salvation of Romania," and the Hungarian minority party. Their shared objective is to maintain the country's European and NATO trajectory, support economic development, and combat the rising cost of living.
The coalition means that the four parties, along with representatives of ethnic minorities, will hold a majority in parliament and will be able to nominate a prime minister.
Lascu, who would become the country's first female president if elected, is urging voters to support the pro-European agenda. She has warned that electing Georgescu, who is accused of pro-Russian sympathies, could lead the country back to "the dark times of dictatorship." Current President Klaus Iohannis has stated that Georgescu's campaign is being funded through the TikTok platform, raising serious concerns about external interference in the elections.
The political agreement among the pro-European parties also encompasses the formation of a new government and collaborative efforts to address domestic issues. Nevertheless, the far-right forces, which have recently gained significant support in parliament, remain a formidable pressure factor on the future government.
Source: politico.