Est. 2min 14-12-2004 (updated: 05-06-2012 ) basescu_nastase.jpg Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: Français | DeutschPrint Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Romania’s newly-elected President, Traian Basescu, faces the daunting task of forming a government from fragmented support in parliament. In his victory speech, Basescu vowed that his “top priority” was to fight corruption, improve press freedoms and lead Romania into the EU in 2007. He said that he would free state institutions from political interference and “put them to work on behalf of the citizens”. He also said that he would seek to maintain stronger relations with the US and Britain, as well as with Russia and the former Soviet republics. Basescu has indicated that he would aim to form a centrist government from his own Alliance party, the Humanist Party and the ethnic Hungarian Democratic Federation of Romania (UDMR) party. He has also said that he would appoint PNL leader and former economy minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu to the post of prime minister. However, due to constraints inherent in the Romanian political system, and considering that no party has won a clear majority, an eventual “cohabitation” scenario may lead to further conflicts or even to early elections. Basescu’s Alliance suffers from inexperience in office, and “cohabitation” is untested in Romania. Basescu has also made it clear that he would not form a government with the nationalist Greater Romania party of Corneliu Vadim Tudor. Meanwhile, Romania is set to formally close negotiations over EU accession on 14 December, and contrary to Basescu’s earlier reference to his intention to reopen the agreement, Bucharest is now determined to stick with the negotiated document. Romania’s EU Ambassador Lazar Comanescu said that “on Tuesday there will be an accession conference which is expected, finally, to close the negotiations”. French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier also commented that it was “very late” to reopen those talks. Read more with Euractiv Basescu leads in Romania presidential run-offOpposition leader Traian Basescu was on the threshhold of winning Romania's presidential run-off vote at midday on 13 December. PositionsRomania’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". BackgroundWith all the ballots counted in Romania’s 12 December presidential run-off, Traian Basescu has won the vote with 51.23%, compared with Adrian Nastase’s 48.77%. Traian Basescu, 53, is the Mayor of Bucharest and the leader of the centre-right Justice and Truth Alliance. He is a former merchant navy captain and has held the post of minister of transportation. He is married with two daughters, and speaks English and French. For the first time, Romania’s president has been elected for a five-year term rather than four thanks to an amendment to the constitution that was approved earlier in 2004. Outgoing President Ion Iliescu, who has held the post for eleven years, declared that the elections were fair and confirmed that the country now has a working democracy. Timeline According to Romanian law, it is the duty of the president to name a prime minister, who then needs to be approved by parliament. If parliament proves unable to approve a government within 60 days, the president can dissolve the legislature. Under Basescu, Romania will continue with its quest for EU membership. Bucharest completed negotiations with Brussels in early December but the country still has far-reaching reforms to accomplish before the scheduled January 2007 entry date. Further ReadingPress articles ISN:Possible 'cohabitation' scenario for Romania RFE/RL:Profile: Traian Basescu Financial Times:Surprise victory for Basescu in Romania RFE/RL:Analysis: Romania’s presidential runoff produces possible ‘cohabitation’ scenario Le Figaro:Roumanie : Cap sur l'Europe pour le nouveau président Basescu Libération:Basescu, le Monsieur Propre qui veut nettoyer la Roumanie Reuters Deutschland:Rumäniens Oppositionschef Basescu gewinnt Präsidentenwahl Non-assigned links Traian Basescu's website
