The official results of the December 9 parliamentary elections in Romania were published in the Official Gazette on Friday. President Traian basescu said in Brussels today that he would call the Parliament immediately after the publication of results and that he would consider whether to do so on December 19. Meanwhile, PM Victor Ponta, whose governing alliance won a majority of votes in the elections, said in an interview he hoped the new government would be in place by Christmas.
The Social Liberal Union (USL), formed of Victor Ponta's Social Democrats (PSD) and incumbent Senate speaker Crin Antonescu's Liberals (PNL), received a majority of votes in the elections, according to official data provided by the Central Electoral Office:
USL has governed Romania since spring and for the past seven months it lured attention especially through its rivalry and attacks on President Traian Basescu - including a failed impeachment process and referendum during the summer.
House of Deputies results:
- USL - 58.63%
- Right Romania Alliance (ARD, opposition electoral alliance) - 16.50%
- Dan Diaconescu Popular Party (PPDD - populist group) - 13.99%
- Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) - 5.13%
Senate results:
- USL - 60.10%
- ARD - 16.70%
- PPDD - 14.65%
- UDMR - 5.23%
The Presidency announced on Tuesday that President Basescu would summon the Parliament and start consultations to name a prime minister immediately after results are published in the Official Gazette. President Basescu said in Brussels on Friday that on his way back to Romania he would consider whether to call the Parliament session on December 19.
For his part, PM Victor Ponta said in an interview with German newspaper Die Welt that he hoped to have a government in place by Christmas.
