The date of local elections in Romania, uncertain

Local elections may be held in Romania at the end of June, but it all depends on how the coronavirus situation evolves.

Ştefan Stoica, 11.03.2020, 13:50

All major decisions in Romania are subordinated to the top priority of preventing the coronavirus from spreading. This is the conclusion of the meeting between the acting Prime Minister, the Liberal Ludovic Orban and the parliamentary parties, on setting the date for the local elections. The Social Democrats have not attended the meeting saying that the Liberals seem to have other priorities than the obvious ones.

Most political leaders who have taken part in the consultations have agreed to June 28, the date proposed by the Liberals, as the date for the local elections. However, it all depends on how the coronavirus epidemic evolves. According to Ludovic Orban, the increase in temperatures was considered when setting the date for the election campaign, so that, depending on the evolution of the coronavirus epidemic, the impact on the campaign should be small. Also, by June 28, the exam sessions in schools and high-schools would have ended, allowing for the buildings to host polling stations.

The head of the Save Romania Union, Dan Barna, has explained that his party supports the idea of holding local elections at the end of June, and, if the coronavirus epidemic grows, he agrees to the postponement of the elections until fall. Victor Ponta, leader of the Pro Romania party, has said local elections should not be held if the number of infections increases and becomes uncontrollable and has insisted on the fact that the country needs a stable government, able to take all necessary measures to fight the epidemic. Eugen Tomac, head of the Peoples Movement Party, has shared Pontas opinion. The Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania would have preferred the elections to be held on June 14, but he also agrees with the date proposed by the Liberals, according to party leader, Kelemen Hunor.

The representative of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, Varujan Vosganian, has said in his turn that, alongside measures aimed at protecting citizens health, the government should also consider measures aimed at protecting the economy, against the background of serious turbulences on the financial markets triggered by the coronavirus outbreak. Romanias government might be endorsed on Thursday in Parliament, when the new cabinet proposed by the Liberal Florin Citu is voted on. (translation by E. Enache)