Local election UPDATE

Newsroom, 27.09.2020, 21:45

ELECTION – The independent candidate Nicusor
Dan, supported by the National Liberal Party and the Save Romania Union – PLUS
Alliance, has won the vote for the Bucharest City Hall according to exit polls
released on Sunday evening. Dan grabbed 47% of the vote, while his main
opponent, the current Mayor, Social-Democrat Gabriela Firea, won 39% of the
vote. Nicusor Dan thanked the people of Bucharest for their trust and promised
to change the administration for the better. The candidates designated and
supported by the National Liberal Party and Save Romania Union – PLUS Alliance
have also reported victories in 3 of the 6 districts of Bucharest. Liberal
leader, Prime Minister Ludovic Orban, has hailed what he has called the most
spectacular win for the Liberals in the local election in the last 30 years. The
co-leader of the Save Romania Union – PLUS Alliance, Dan Barna, said the result
in Bucharest confirms the fact that this alliance is an alternative to
traditional parties. In turn, Social-Democrat leader Marcel Ciolacu said the
National Liberal Party lost their hold on Bucharest due to the chaos it created
during the pandemic, thus becoming the third political force in the capital
city. We recall the National Liberal Party has won the election for the
European Parliament and the presidential election, both held last year. The
local election is seen as a test ahead of the presidential election slated for
December 6. The voter turnout at national level stood at 46%. Romanians voted
to elect 41 presidents of county councils, 1,300 county councilmen, 40,000
local councilmen and 3,200 mayors. The election was held in a single round.
Originally slated for June, the local election was postponed due to the
coronavirus pandemic and the mandates of local officials were extended. The
ballot was held with the strict observance of health safety regulations.