Socialist Party of Labour

The Socialist Party of Labour (Romanian: Partidul Socialist al Muncii, PSM) was a left wing-nationalist political party in Romania. The party was labelled as neo-communist. It was founded on 16 November 1990. The chairman of the party was Ilie Verdeţ, former Communist Prime Minister between 1979 and 1982, under Secretary General Nicolae Ceaușescu.[2]

Socialist Party of Labour
Partidul Socialist al Muncii
AbbreviationPSM
ChairpersonIlie Verdeț
Honorary presidentConstantin Pârvulescu[1]
Founded16 November 1990
DissolvedJuly 2003
Preceded byRomanian Communist Party
Merged intoPSD (faction)
Succeeded byPSR (faction)
IdeologyNeo-communism
Left-wing nationalism
Democratic socialism
Political positionLeft-wing to far-left
National affiliationNational Bloc (senate)
Red Quadrilateral

At the 1992 general election, the party obtained roughly 3% of votes and thus entered the parliament. Together with the Greater Romania Party (PRM), the PSM formed the "National Bloc" faction in the Romanian Senate. The PSM participated in the so-called Red Quadrilateral coalition that included Iliescu's Democratic National Salvation Front (FDSN), the Greater Romania Party (PRM; at that time national communist), the Agrarian Democracy Party (PDAR), and the nationalist Romanian National Unity Party (PUNR).[3]

Later, the Socialist Party of Labour (PSM) gradually lost its influence. In July 2003, the party fused with the Social Democratic Party (PSD); members who objected to the fusion formed a splinter group, called the Socialist Alliance Party (PSR).

Electoral history

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Legislative elections

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Election Chamber Senate Position Aftermath
Votes % Seats Votes % Seats
1992 328,283 3.03
13 / 341
347,658 3.18
5 / 143
8th PDSR-PUNR-PRM-PSM government (1992–1996)
1996 262,563 2.15
0 / 343
265,659 2.16
0 / 143
8th Extra-parliamentary opposition to CDR-USD-UDMR government (1996–2000)
2000 91,027 0.71
0 / 345
96,636 0.89
0 / 140
11th Extra-parliamentary support for PDSR minority government (2000–2003)

Presidential elections

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Election Candidate First round Second round
Votes Percentage Position Votes Percentage Position
1992 Did not compete
1996 Adrian Păunescu 87,163 0.7% 9th
2000 Ion Sasu 38,375 0.3% 11th

References

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  1. ^ https://dupa90.ro/timeline-events/9-iulie-1992
  2. ^ Ramet, Sabrina P. (2010-11-01). Radical Right in Central and Eastern Europe Since 1989. Penn State Press. ISBN 978-0271043791.
  3. ^ Roper, Steven D. (2000-01-01). Romania: The Unfinished Revolution. Psychology Press. ISBN 9789058230270.
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