Local election UPDATE

Newsroom, 27.09.2020, 22:50

ELECTION -
The independent candidate Nicusor Dan, supported by the National Liberal Party
and the Save Romania Union – PLUS Alliance, has won the vote for the Bucharest
City Hall according to exit polls released on Sunday evening. Dan grabbed 48%
of the vote, while his main opponent, the current Mayor, Social-Democrat
Gabriela Firea, won 38% of the vote. Nicusor Dan thanked the people of
Bucharest for their trust and promised to change the administration for the
better. The candidates designated and supported by the National Liberal Party
and Save Romania Union – PLUS Alliance have also reported victories in 3 of the
6 districts of Bucharest. Liberal leader, Prime Minister Ludovic Orban, has
hailed what he has called the most spectacular win for the Liberals in the
local election in the last 30 years. The co-leader of the Save Romania Union -
PLUS Alliance, Dan Barna, said the result in Bucharest confirms the fact that
this alliance is an alternative to traditional parties. In turn,
Social-Democrat leader Marcel Ciolacu said the National Liberal Party lost
their hold on Bucharest due to the chaos it created during the pandemic, thus
becoming the third political force in the capital city. We recall the National
Liberal Party has won the election for the European Parliament and the
presidential election, both held last year. The local election is seen as a
test ahead of the presidential election slated for December 6. The voter
turnout at national level stood at 46%. Romanians voted to elect 41 presidents
of county councils, 1,300 county councilmen, 40,000 local councilmen and 3,200
mayors. The election was held in a single round. Originally slated for June,
the local election was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and the
mandates of local officials were extended. The ballot was held with the strict
observance of health safety regulations.

(translated by V. Palcu)