Governance and citizenship

The race is still on for Bucharest in the wake of the first round of the local elections in Romania, on 1 June 2008.

 

According to preliminary results, no single candidate has won in the capital city. The second round (15 June) will cast vasile Blaga (PDL) against the independent candidate Sorin Oprescu.

 

Other candidates have already won in other municipalities such as Emil Boc (PDL) in Cluj-Napoca (or Radu Mazare in Constanta.

 

The election was seen as important on several accounts: it was the first local elections since Romania joined the EU, mayors and local councillors have access to EU funds, et for the first time in local elections Romanians could vote for individual candidates rather for lists.

 

The three main parties were the National Liberal Party (PNL) in power nationally, the Liberal Democrats (PDL) and the Social Democrats (PSD) both in the opposition.

 

Nationally, the PSD is thought to have won 82 municipalities, against 47 for the PDL and 40 for the PNL.

 

The Romanian government's website (in English, Romanian and French)