欧美文化:Romanian pro-European parties form coalition

BUCHAREST, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Several pro-European political parties in Romania have agreed to form a coalition, including the National Liberal Party (PNL), the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR), the Save Romania Union (USR), and representatives of national minorities, according to PNL interim chair Ilie Bolojan on Wednesday.

Speaking at the Palace of Parliament, Bolojan stated that the coalition's primary goal is to ensure governmental stability and implement key reforms to advance Romania's modernization.

The coalition partners affirmed their commitment to Romania's European and Euro-Atlantic values, focusing on strengthening national security, economic growth, and the country's European trajectory. Among their priorities are increasing the absorption of European funds, advancing reforms under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, and pushing for Romania's accession to the Schengen Area and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

"We urge Romanian citizens to vote on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, for a pro-European, democratic, and secure Romania, rejecting isolationism, extremism, and populism," Bolojan said.

Independent candidate Calin Georgescu and Elena Lasconi, leader of the USR, will face off in the second round of Romania's 2024 presidential election on Dec. 8.

On the same day, the Central Electoral Bureau revealed that seven political parties have crossed the electoral threshold to enter Parliament.

The PSD led with 22.4 percent of the Senate vote and 21.96 percent for the Chamber, followed by the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) with 18.3 percent and 18.01 percent, respectively. The PNL ranked third with 14.28 percent in the Senate and 13.2 percent in the Chamber.

Other parties meeting the threshold include the USR, the S.O.S. Romania, the Party of Young People, and the UDMR.