Reformist Basescu buckles down to forming Romanian government

Romania’s small Humanist Party (PUR) said in a statement that the elections have “reaffirmed its political independence” and that the party’s previous deal with Adrian Nastase was only an “electoral alliance”. 

In a similar vein, the Alliance's other potential coalition partner, the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), has also hinted in the wake of the run-off that they were ready to reconsider their alliances and switch sides. Should this happen, the DA and its allies would command 239 seats in the 469-member legislature.

In a message, Commission President José Manuel Barroso congratulated Basescu and said that the "Commission will continue to fully support Romania in this important moment where necessary reforms and tasks entailed by EU membership have to be carried out".

Reacting to the election results, MEP Graham Watson, leader of the ALDE Group, said that "I congratulate Traian Basescu and Calin Tariceanu on their victory. The Alliance of Democrats and Liberals in Romania has been a runaway success, with gains in parliamentary and presidential elections. Romania's citizens have taken a stand against the corrupt practices and authoritarian tactics of the Iliescu/Nastase regime. In so doing, they have elected a president and a parliamentary team, which will set Romania firmly on the path to EU membership in 2007. This is a major advance for Romania and for Europe".

Cristian Parvulescu, president of the Pro Democratia Association in Bucharest, has stated that numerous irregularities were noticed by the observers during the run-off as well. The first election round on 28 November saw a large number of allegations of fraudulent voting practices.

"Young people danced in the streets of Bucharest last Friday night, acclaiming Basescu", commented EurActiv.ro Editor Manuela Preoteasa. "I only hope that they will do the same in five years. The challenge is enormous, as well as the responsibility".