Presidential elections were held in Romania in 2009. They were the sixth presidential elections held in post-1989 Romania. The first round took place on 22 November, with a run-off round between the top two candidates Traian Băsescu (supported by the Democratic Liberal Party or PDL for short) and Mircea Geoană (supported by the Social Democratic Party or PSD for short) on 6 December 2009. Although most exit polls suggested a victory for Geoană in the runoff, the authorities declared Băsescu the narrow winner with 50.33% of the votes. To date, it is the closest presidential election in the political history of Romania.
The opposition contested the results, citing a "high number of void ballots, modified voting protocols, and massive electoral tourism", vowing to challenge the result in the constitutional court. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) declared that the election "was held generally in line with OSCE commitments", but also urged the authorities to investigate claims of fraud. On 8 December, the Social Democratic Party (PSD) submitted a request to annul and repeat the run-off to the Constitutional Court, claiming it had been rigged. On 14 December, the Constitutional Court rejected the request after recounting all the annulled votes.
A referendum was held alongside the first round of voting on introducing a unicameral parliament of up to 300 deputies (replacing the existing bicameral parliament) and reducing the number of MPs to 300 but retaining the bicameral structure.
Candidates
There were twelve candidates of which three ran as independents. The candidates of the major parties were: the then incumbent Traian Băsescu (independent, but supported by Democratic Liberal Party (PDL) and the official fraction of Christian Democratic National Peasants' Party (PNȚCD), led by Marian Miluț), Mircea Geoană (Social Democratic Party or PSD for short), Crin Antonescu (National Liberal Party (PNL) and the contender faction of PNȚCD, led by Radu Sîrbu), Hunor Kelemen (Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR/RMDSZ for short) "Kelemen Hunor a fost votat drept candidat al UDMR la Preşedinţi" ("Hunor Kelemen Voted UDMR Presidential Candidate"), Mediafax, 27 June 2009 and Corneliu Vadim Tudor (Greater Romania Party or PRM for short). Mayor of Bucharest Sorin Oprescu (formerly PSD member) announced his candidacy as an independent candidate on 5 October 2009; Băsescu had also been mayor of Bucharest before becoming president during the early 2000s.
Prince Radu of Romania, husband of Margareta of Romania first announced his candidacy to the office of President on 9 April 2009, but later withdrew.
Name Lifespan Public Administration Experience Affiliation and endorsements Alma mater and profession Candidacy Traian BăsescuBorn: (age )Basarabi, Constanța CountyPresident of Romania (2004–election day)Mayor of Bucharest (2000–2004)Deputy (1992–2000)Minister of Transport (1991–1992, 1996–1998, 1998–2000)Sub-Secretary of State for Naval Transportation with the Ministry of Transport (1990–1991)Director of Civil Navigation Inspectorate with the Ministry of Transport (1989–1990)Former presidential election:2004: 33.9% (2nd place, 1st round), 51.2% (winner, 2nd round)Affiliation: PDLMircea cel Bătrân Naval Academy (1976)seamanMircea GeoanăBorn: (age )BucharestPresident of the Senate of Romania (2008–election day)Senator (2004–election day)Minister of Foreign Affairs (2000–2004)Romanian Ambassador to US (1996–2000)Affiliation: Alliance PSD+PCFaculty of Mechanics, Politehnica University of Bucharest (1983)Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest (1993)diplomatCrin AntonescuBorn: (age )Tulcea, Tulcea CountySenator (2008–election day)Minister of Youth and Sport (1997–2000)Deputy (1992–2008)Affiliation: PNLFaculty of History and Philosophy, University of Bucharest (1985)history teacher, museum curatorCorneliu Vadim TudorBorn: (age )BucharestDied: , BucharestMEP (2009–election day)Senator (1992–2008)Former presidential elections:2004: 12.6% (3rd place, 1st round)2000: 28.3% (2nd place, 1st round), 33.2% (2nd place, 2nd round)1996: 4.7% (5th place, 1st round)Affiliation: PRMFaculty of Philosophy, University of Bucharest (1971)journalist, writerKelemen Hunor(age )Cârța, Harghita CountyDeputy (2000–election day)Secretary of State with the Minister of Culture (1997–2000)Affiliation: UDMRUniversity of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca (1993),Faculty of Philosophy, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca (1998)veterinarian, philosophy teacherSorin OprescuBorn: (age )BucharestMayor of Bucharest (2008–election day)Senator (2000–2008)Affiliation: noneCarol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (1976)surgeonGigi BecaliBorn: (age )Vădeni, Brăila CountyMEP (2009–election day)Former presidential election:2004: 1.8% (6th place, 1st round)Affiliation: PNG-CD"Iuliu Maniu" high school, Bucharest (1978)shepherd, football club ownerRemus CerneaBorn: (age )BucharestAffiliation: Green PartyFaculty of Philosophy, University of Bucharest (2002)civic activistConstantin RotaruBorn: (age )Dănicei, Vâlcea CountyDeputy (1992–1996)Affiliation: Socialist Alliance Partyunknown educationunknownEduard ManoleBorn: (age )Constanța, Constanța CountyFormer presidential election:2000: 1.2% (8th place, 1st round)Affiliation: noneFaculty of Physics, University of Bucharest (unknown year)physicistOvidiu-Cristian IaneBorn: (age )Craiova, Dolj CountyAffiliation: PERFaculty of International Economic Relations, Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies (unknown year)Faculty of Political Sciences, Bucharest (unknown year)unknownConstantin-Ninel PotîrcăBorn: (age )Târgu Jiu, Gorj CountyAffiliation: noneunknown studiesused iron recycler
Campaign First round
The main contenders, incumbent Băsescu and the President of the Parliament Mircea Geoană, offered different ways to tackle the economic crisis, Romania being in the grip of severe recession with the economy expected to contract eight percent in 2009. While Geoană offered to increase investment to beat the recession and promised "vigorous measures" such as building affordable flats for young people and giving cheap credits to enterprises in order to help create jobs, Băsescu pledged to cut public spending.Isabelle Wesselingh (AFP) – 14 November 2009, Romanian president steps up attacks ahead of poll Băsescu also promised more equity to people living in the countryside. Christian Mititelu, a political commentator quoted by the BBC, argued that due to extremely vigorous political strife there was no real campaign debate about how the economy should recover or on the structure of the next year's budget, and that the public were not sufficiently aware of these economic issues, while the contenders did not attempt to communicate and involve the public in such decisions."Romania election's strange enigma", BBC
Băsescu tried to portray himself as the champion of the people against what he called "the corrupt political elite". A widely used election poster carried the text: "They cannot avoid what they are afraid of". Băsescu's opponents countered that he is part of that elite, simply with different backers. In a Cluj-Napoca meeting with supporters he claimed he "was the one to stop doubtful privatisations", implicitly accusing rival Social-Democrats of underhand practices while in power. He vowed to fight against the Parliament, which blocked his bid to install the Croitoru cabinet, and the "media moguls". In the campaign for the first round, his favorite campaign theme was reducing the number of lawmakers. This theme proved popular with the overwhelming majority of the electorate voting for the reduction of the number of lawmakers from current 471 to a maximum of 300, and in favor of a transition from the current bicameral parliament to a unicameral one in a referendum held simultaneously with the first round of elections. One of Băsescu's favorite themes is his fight against parliament and media moguls such as businessmen Dan Voiculescu, Sorin Ovidiu Vântu, and Dinu Patriciu, politicians Ion Iliescu, Viorel Hrebenciuc, and Marian Vanghelie.
The main counter-candidate, Geoană, on the other hand, described himself as a "man of dialogue", who can "restore Romania's unity", allegedly "jeopardized" by Băsescu. A former ambassador to the United States, former foreign minister, and a seasoned diplomat, Geoană edged aside more powerful figures in his Social Democratic party.
In the first round held on 22 November, Băsescu came first with 32.44% of the votes, and Geoană second with 31.15%. According to a BBC analyst a victory by Geoană would be caused by the numerous enemies Băsescu has made during his tenure, especially in the media. On the other hand, a victory of the incumbent could be generated by his counter-candidate alleged lack of "human touch", and because doubts remain over his ability to control the "red barons" in his own party. Crin Antonescu [of the National Liberals who scored third with 20.02%] was the first choice of all those who are fed up with Băsescu but could not bring themselves to vote Socialist. His voters hold the key to victory on 6 December.
Second round
Although Băsescu claimed the results of the first round were "a significant vote for the right" because he and Crin Antonescu together received over 50% of the vote, the next day Antonescu refused to back Băsescu in the runoff, and shortly thereafter announced an alliance with Geoană. Subsequently, Băsescu reproached Antonescu to "have thrown himself in the arms of the Social Democratic party, a party opposed to reforms", and added "This alliance will bring us back to 20 years ago when the PSD was controlling all state institutions".Mihaela Rodina (AFP), Alliance battle starts as Romania heads for presidential run-off Antonescu in turn called Băsescu "a demagogue and a populist", and vowed to support Geoană as "the lesser of two evils".Alison Mutler (AP), Romania's president, rival in runoff election Geoană also gained the support of Béla Markó with his UDMR/RMDSZ and George Becali with his New Generation Party – Christian Democratic.
Sorin Oprescu decided not to support anyone and Corneliu Vadim Tudor with his PRM—at national level—called his voters to boycott the runoff round; however the PRM in Sibiu County decided to support Geoană.PNL decided unanimously to support Mircea Geoana in the second round. UDMR aims for a tight collaboration with liberals , English. HotNews.ro, 24 November 2009Romania: Traian Basescu, Mircea Geoana Face Runoff, SeeEurope.net, 24 November 2009Băsescu – glad an alliance against him was set up, expects PRM to join it... , Bucharestherald.com, 24 November 2009Romania: Start of electoral campaign for presidential runoff , romaniapress.com, 27 November 2009Political premier in Sibiu: PRM and UDM agree to support Mircea Geoana, hotnews.ro, 26 November 2009 Geoană announced he would nominate Klaus Iohannis as prime minister if he won. România lui Băsescu, România lui Geoană
Geoană promised to appoint Klaus Iohannis as Prime Minister of Romania if he was elected president. Iohannis was the candidate supported by a majority in the Parliament of Romania. Romania had a caretaker government since the government of Emil Boc fell on 13 October. The parliament rejected Traian Băsescu's nomination of Lucian Croitoru for new prime minister on 4 November.
Opinion polls Note: Opinion polls have been criticised in this election for their unreliability, with large differences in results obtained between different polling agencies. HotNews.ro nu va mai publica sondaje de opinie cu subiect politic pe durata campaniei electorale, HotNews.ro, 3 November 2009 De ce nu dam sondaje politice, Mediafax, 2 November 2009
First round