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2008 Romanian parliamentary election

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Parliamentary elections were held in Romania on 30 November 2008.[3] The Democratic Liberal Party (PDL) won three more seats than PSD in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, although the alliance headed by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) won more votes and a fractionally higher vote share. The two parties subsequently formed a governing coalition with Emil Boc of the PDL as Prime Minister.

Romanian legislative election, 2008
← 2004 30 November 2008 (2008-11-30) 2012 →
All 137 seats in the Senate
All 334 seats in the Chamber of Deputies
69 S and 167 D seats needed for a majority
Turnout39.20% (Decrease 19.27pp)
  First party Second party Third party
 
Conventia PD-L 2013 - Theodor Stolojan (2).jpg
Leader Theodor Stolojan[a] Mircea Geoană Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu
Party PDL PSD+PC PNL
Leader's seat not running S – Dolj D – Ilfov
Last election 21 S / 48 D 57 S / 132 D 28 S / 64 D
Seats won 51 S / 115 D 49 S / 114 D 28 S / 65 D
Seat change Increase 30 S / Increase 67 D Decrease 8 S / Decrease 18 D Steady 0 S / Increase 1 D
Popular vote 2,228,860 D 2,279,449 D 1,279,063 D
Percentage 32.36% D 33.10% D 18.60% D
  Fourth party Fifth party
 
Leader Béla Markó Varujan Pambuccian[b]
Party UDMR/RMDSZ Romanian ethnic minority parties
Leader's seat D – Harghita D - Nationwide[c]
Last election 10 S / 22 D 0 S / 18 D
Seats won 9 S / 22 D 0 S / 18 D
Seat change Decrease 1 S / Steady 0 D Steady 0 S / Steady 18 D
Popular vote 425,008 D 243,908 [2] D
Percentage 6.17% D 3.45% D
Results by county
Prime Minister before election

Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu
PNL

Elected Prime Minister

Emil Boc
PDL

Electoral system

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President Traian Băsescu had wanted to introduce a single-winner two-round electoral system before this election, but a 2007 referendum on the proposal failed due to insufficient turnout. A new electoral system was introduced as a compromise, with the previous party-list proportional representation system changed to a mixed member proportional representation system using sub-county constituencies (colegii electorale). A candidate was declared the winner in any electoral college where they obtained more than 50% of the vote. Seats where no candidate won an outright majority are then allocated using the D'Hondt method. If necessary, the number of seats for each chamber is raised, by giving supplementary seats. An electoral threshold of 5% was applied for each chamber; or winning at least six colleges for the Chamber of Deputies and three colleges for the Senate by more than 50%. There was an additional adjustment for the Chamber of Deputies around the national minorities candidates.[4]

Contenders

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The main contenders in the election were the centre-left alliance made up of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the Conservative Party (PC); the liberal-conservative Democratic Liberal Party (PDL); and the liberal National Liberal Party (PNL).

Other significant contenders were the ethnic Hungarian party Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR/RMDSZ) and the right-wing nationalist Greater Romania Party (PRM), both of whom were represented in the previous Parliament.

Opinion polls

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Date Pollster
PDL PSD+PC PSD PNL PNG UDMR PRM PC PNȚCD PIN PCM Undecided
26 June 2008 IMAS 40% — 26% 18% 5% 5% 3% — — — — —
22–30 July 2008 INSOMAR 38% — 26% 16% 3% 4% 3% 2% 2% 2% 1% —
25 August–5 September 2008 ATLE 30.2% — 33.1% 16% 3.2% 4.8% 3.4% 3.1% 1.1% 2% — —
1–16 September 2008 Metro-Media 37% — 28% 17% 3% 5% 5% 3% 1% 3% — —
12–17 September 2008 INSOMAR 39% — 25% 20% 3% 4% 4% 1% — — 1% —
22–25 September 2008 CCSB 34% 36% — 20% 2% 5% 3% — 1% — — —
10–23 October 2008 CURS 32% 31% — 18% 5% 5% 5% — 1% 1% — —
25–27 October 2008 CCSB 34% 37% — 18% 2% 6% 3% — — — — —
30 October–3 November 2008 INSOMAR 37% 32% — 17% 3% 6% 5% — — — — —
11 November 2008 CCSB 34.5% 37.7% — 14.4% 2.3% 6.6% 4.0% — — — — —
10–14 November 2008 BCS 34.4% 31.8% — 19.9% 1.9% 5.1% 3.6% — — — — 25.5%
17–21 November 2008 BCS 32.6% 31.2% — 21.4% 2.9% 6.1% 4.1% — — — — 29.5%
21–23 November 2008 INSOMAR 32% 35% — 21% 3% 5% 3% — — — — —
19–23 November 2008 CSOP 34% 31% — 21% 3% 7% 3% — — — — 27%
23–26 November 2008 BCS 31.1% 32% — 21.3% 3.2% 6.3% 4.3% — — — — 26%

The first exit-polls, published by INSOMAR[5][unreliable source?] after the polls were closed, predicted the results for the Chamber of Deputies as:

PSD+PC - 36.2%;
PDL - 30.3%;
PNL - 20.4%;
UDMR - 6.7%.

And for the Senate:

PSD+PC - 35.9%;
PDL - 31.1%;
PNL - 19.9%;
UDMR - 6.7%.

Results

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The results for the Chamber of Deputies for Constituencies no. 1 to no. 42
 
The results for the Chamber of Deputies for Constituency no. 43
 
The results for the Senate for Constituencies no. 1 to no. 42
 
The results for the Senate for Constituency no. 43

According to the official final results, the centre-left Alliance PSD+PC won 33.1% in the Chamber of Deputies, just ahead of the Democratic Liberal Party (PDL) on 32.4%, with the National Liberal Party (PNL) on 18.6% and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR/RMDSZ) on 6.2%. The alliance led by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) won 34.2% in the Senate, just ahead of the Democratic Liberal Party (PDL) on 33.6%, with the National Liberal Party (PNL) on 18.7% and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR/RMDSZ) on 6.4%.[6]

Compared to the 2004 election, the Social Democratic Party-led alliance fell back a few percents in the national vote share. The Democratic Liberal Party (PDL) and National Liberal Party (PNL) had competed in the last election together as the Justice and Truth Alliance (DA), but had split in April 2007.

The Democratic Liberal Party (PDL) made significant gains in 2008 to become the largest party in both houses, while the National Liberal Party (PNL) made smaller gains. Support for the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR/RMDSZ) was largely unchanged. The Greater Romania Party (PRM) obtained 13% of the national vote for the Chamber in 2004, but failed in 2008 to pass the 5% electoral threshold.

Senate

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PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Alliance PSD+PC2,352,96834.1649–8
Democratic Liberal Party2,312,35833.5751+30
National Liberal Party1,291,02918.74280
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania440,4496.399–1
Greater Romania Party245,9303.570–21
New Generation Party174,5192.5300
Green Ecologist Party48,1190.7000
Social Protection People's Party10,8050.160New
National Democratic Christian Party1,3650.0200
Romanian Socialist Party4450.0100
Independents10,0680.1500
Total6,888,055100.001370
Valid votes6,888,05595.15
Invalid/blank votes350,8164.85
Total votes7,238,871100.00
Registered voters/turnout18,464,27439.20
Source: Nohlen & Stöver[7] Central Election Office

Chamber of Deputies

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PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Alliance PSD+PC2,279,44933.10114–18
Democratic Liberal Party2,228,86032.36115+67
National Liberal Party1,279,06318.5765+1
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania425,0086.17220
Greater Romania Party217,5953.160–48
New Generation Party156,9012.2800
Party of the Roma "Pro Europe"44,0370.6410
Democratic Forum of Germans23,1900.3410
Federation of the Jewish Communities in Romania22,3930.3310
Green Ecologist Party18,2790.2700
Democratic Union of Slovaks and Czechs of Romania15,3730.2210
Bulgarian Union of Banat–Romania14,0390.2010
Union of Armenians of Romania13,8290.2010
Democratic Union of Turkish-Muslim Tatars11,8680.1710
Association of Macedonians of Romania11,8140.1710
Union of Serbs of Romania10,8780.1610
Association of Italians of Romania9,5670.1410
Democratic Turkish Union of Romania9,4810.1410
Union of the Ukrainians of Romania9,3380.1410
Community of the Lipovan Russians9,2030.1310
Union of Croats of Romania9,0470.1310
Hellenic Union of Romania8,8750.1310
League of Albanians of Romania8,7920.1310
Social Protection People's Party8,3880.120New
Union of Poles of Romania7,6700.1110
Cultural Union of Ruthenians of Romania4,5140.0710
Romanian Socialist Party5850.0100
National Democratic Christian Party3160.0000
Party of the European Romania870.000New
Independents28,3550.4100
Total6,886,794100.00334+2
Valid votes6,886,79495.14
Invalid/blank votes352,0774.86
Total votes7,238,871100.00
Registered voters/turnout18,464,27439.20
Source: Nohlen & Stöver[7] Central Election Office

Aftermath

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Government formation

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Second Prime Minister Designate, Emil Boc speaking.

It was expected that a grand coalition of the Social Democrats and the Democratic Liberal Party (PDL) would be formed. Initially the Prime Minister-designate was Theodor Stolojan, the PDL's official candidate.[8] He was designated Prime Minister by the President Traian Băsescu on 11 December 2008, the official decree being issued and printed in the Monitorul Oficial the next day.

On 15 December 2008, four days after his nomination, and one day after the coalition protocol was signed, Stolojan announced that he had resigned from the position of Prime Minister-designate, without giving any reason.[9] The same day, Băsescu signed a decree that nominated the Mayor of Cluj-Napoca and PDL president Emil Boc.[10]

Boc's coalition government with the Social Democrats was approved by parliament in a 324–115 vote and was sworn in on 22 December 2008.[11][12] Mircea Geoana of the Social Democrats became the new head of the Senate, with Roberta Alma Anastase of the PDL as the new President of the Chamber of Deputies.[13]

By-elections

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At the start of the 2008–2012 parliamentary term, only parties that had won seats in the 2008 elections were eligible to contest parliamentary by-elections. However, this changed in 2011, after which all parties were allowed to propose candidates. The change came after repeated contests to the Constitutional Court of Romania of former 2009 presidential candidate Remus Cernea.

Following the nomination of Bogdan Olteanu to the Council of Administration of the National Bank of Romania as Deputy Governor, the first by-election of the parliamentary term took place in Bucharest constituency 1 will be held the first by-election of this parliament. The election was held on 17 January 2010 and was a contest between Radu Stroe of the National Liberal Party (PNL) and Honorius Prigoană, representing the PDL. The Social Democrats decided not to propose a candidate and to support the PNL candidate. Stroe was subsequently elected.

Daniela Popa resigned from the Chamber of Deputies to take office as President of the Insurance Supervising Committee, also stepping down as president of the Conservative Party.[14] The PNL decided not to have its own candidate, but to support the PSD+PC candidate, based on the gentlemen's agreement for the Bucharest by-election. The PSD nominated Conservative Party member and former Romanian Lottery director Liliana Mincă, with the PDL putting forward former TV show host Teo Trandafir, who went on to win.

Following the death of Ioan Timiş, Deputy for Hunedoara County constituency 3, a by-election took place on 28 November 2010. All parties nominated candidates, with former Minister of Labour, Mariana Câmpeanu of the PNL winning.

In January 2011, the representative of the Macedonians in Romania, Liana Dumitrescu, died. As she was a representative of a national minority, her seat had no college. As a result, her seat was left empty.

In April 2011 Victor Surdu died, vacating his seat in the Chamber of Deputies, Neamț County constituency 6. The by-election was held on 21 August 2011 and won by the PDL candidate, Adrian Rădulescu, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Agriculture.

In May 2011, Cătălin Cherecheș was elected Mayor of Baia Mare, automatically vacating her seat in the Chamber of Deputies, Maramureș County constituency 2. The by-election on 21 August saw Florin Tătaru of the Social Liberal Union elected.

On 30 August 2011, Zoltán Pálfi died, vacacting Cluj County constituency 9.

Summary of the Romanian legislative by-election results for the 2008 - 2012 legislature (LIII)
Date College - Constituency Candidates Parties and alliances Votes %
17 January 2010 CD 1-42 Radu Stroe National Liberal Party (Partidul Naţional Liberal) 7,625 70.17%
Honorius Prigoană Democratic Liberal Party (Partidul Democrat-Liberal) 3,242 29.83%
Total valid votes (40,583 expected voters) (turnout 27.12% - 11,006) 10,867 100.00%
Source: Biroul Electoral Municipal Archived 4 September 2020 at the Wayback Machine
25 April 2010 CD 19-42 Teo Trandafir Democratic Liberal Party (Partidul Democrat-Liberal) 53.59%
Liliana Mincă PSD+PC Electoral Alliance (Alianţa Electorală PSD+PC) 46.41%
Total valid votes (103,204 expected voters) (turnout 14.84%) 15,093 100.00%
Source: Autoritatea Electorală Permanentă Archived 13 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
28 November 2010 CD 3-22 Mariana Câmpeanu National Liberal Party (Partidul Naţional Liberal) 8,738 34.86%
Daniel Răducanu Democratic Liberal Party (Partidul Democrat-Liberal) 7,339 29.28%
Ţoloaș Liliana PSD+PC Electoral Alliance (Alianţa Electorală PSD+PC) 5,218 20.81%
Nicolae Timiș Independent 2,683 10.70%
Bela Fülöp Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (Uniunea Democrată Maghiară din România) 438 1.75%
Remus Cernea Independent 269 1.07%
Mircea Părăian New Generation Party – Christian Democratic (Partidul Noua Generaţie - Creştin Democrat) 197 0.78%
Iosif Danci Christian-Democratic National Peasants' Party (Partidul Naţional Ţărănesc Creştin Democrat) 187 0.75%
Total valid votes (53,222 expected voters) (turnout 48.41% - 25,763) 25,069 100.00%
Source: Autoritatea Electorală Permanentă Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
21 August 2011 CD 6-29 Adrian Rădulescu Democratic Liberal Party (Partidul Democrat-Liberal) 17,186 54.95%
Liviu Harbuz Social-Liberal Union (Uniunea Social Liberală) 14,089 45.05%
Total valid votes (57,996 expected voters) (turnout 53.93% - 32,184) 31,275 100.00%
Source: Autoritatea Electorala Permanenta Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
CD 2-26 Florin Tătaru Social-Liberal Union (Uniunea Social Liberală) 9,433 42.67%
Mariana Pop Democratic Liberal Party (Partidul Democrat-Liberal) 7,845 35.48%
Mircea Dolha Ecologist Party of Romania (Partidul Ecologist Român) 4,338 19.62%
Felician Horzsa Greater Romania Party (Partidul România Mare) 493 2.23%
Total valid votes (79,241 expected voters) (turnout 27,90% - 22,478) 22,109 100.00%
Source: Biroul Electoral Judeţean Archived 31 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  1. ^ Prime Minister candidate
  2. ^ Pambuccian has been the parliamentary leader of the national minorities' group since 1996 onwards.
  3. ^ National minorities have nationwide mandates and do not represent a specific county. [1]

References

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  1. ^ Legea privind alegerea Senatului şi a Camerei Deputaţilor, precum şi pentru organizarea şi funcţionarea Autorităţii Electorale Permanente, cu modificările şi completările ulterioare [The Law on the election of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, as well as on the organization and operation of the Permanent Electoral Authority, with subsequent amendments and additions - Updated text] (PDF) (208, 94.12) (in Romanian). 20 July 2015.
  2. ^ Autoritatea Electorală Permanentă. "Alegeri Parlamentul României 2008". alegeri.roaep.ro. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Romania to hold elections on November 30th". SETimes.com. 28 August 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  4. ^ (in Romanian) Simulation of the algorithm using an imaginary county Archived 2008-12-17 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Agentia Nationala de Presa AGERPRES Archived 2008-12-10 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Alegeri Parlamentare - 30 Noiembire 2008 Situatia Voturilor Valabil Exprimate pe Competitori Electorali" (PDF). Romania Biroul Electoral Central. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 December 2008.
  7. ^ a b Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, pp1606-1613 ISBN 9783832956097
  8. ^ "Allgemeine Deutsche Zeitung für Rumänien" (in Romanian). Adz.ro. Archived from the original on 16 December 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  9. ^ "Antena 3" (in Romanian). Antena3.ro. 15 December 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  10. ^ "Emil Boc nominated new Romanian PM". euronews. 15 December 2008. Archived from the original on 21 December 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  11. ^ "Boc Government OK'd by Parliament, with 324 votes in favor and 115 against". Financiarul. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2008.
  12. ^ Radu Marinas and Luiza Ilie (22 December 2008). "Romania centre-left gov't sworn in to tackle crisis". Forbes. Archived from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2008.
  13. ^ "Romania's PM designate pledges to cut spending". 22 December 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2008.[dead link‍]
  14. ^ "Jurnalul Naţional". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
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