Romanian Pro-European Parties Form Coalition Government

Romania's pro-European parties have agreed to form a majority government, effectively sidelining far-right nationalists following a tumultuous election cycle. The leftist Social Democratic Party (PSD) emerged as the largest party in the Dec. 1 parliamentary elections, while concerns arose over the surprise success of far-right candidate Călin Georgescu, leading to allegations of Russian interference and the annulment of the presidential election by the Constitutional Court. The new coalition, which includes the PSD, the center-right National Liberal Party (PNL), the Save Romania Union (USR), and the ethnic Hungarian UDMR, aims to support a unified pro-European candidate for the upcoming re-run of the presidential election, likely to be scheduled for early 2025. The coalition is also tasked with addressing Romania's significant budget deficit and implementing economic reforms, though analysts warn of potential challenges in reaching consensus on these issues. Outgoing President Klaus Iohannis will nominate a prime minister as the new government takes shape, with a focus on a joint governing program that prioritizes citizen concerns.