Exit Poll: Romania’s Social Democrats Lead Parliamentary Vote as Hard-Right Gains Momentum

The parliamentary election has unfolded during a highly charged political crisis sparked by the surprising victory of independent ultranationalist candidate Călin Georgescu, known for his admiration of Russia, in the presidential election last Sunday.

Highlighting the potential trajectory of the upcoming second round of the presidential race, the far-right surge that propelled Georgescu appears to have carried over into the parliamentary vote. Alongside the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), two other right-wing extremist parties, S.O.S. Romania and the Party of Young People, each garnered 5.5 percent of the vote—narrowly surpassing the threshold required to secure parliamentary seats, according to exit polls.

Meanwhile, the reformist Union Save Romania (USR) and the center-right National Liberal Party (PNL) both captured 15.5 percent of the vote. USR is led by Elena Lasconi, a prominent liberal figure who is set to face Georgescu in the presidential runoff on December 8.

Elena Lasconi, liberal leader of USR, is preparing to compete against Călin Georgescu in the upcoming decisive presidential election. | Mihai Barbu/Getty Images

For the Social Democratic Party (PSD) to maintain governance, it will need to construct a coalition, potentially with its current governing partner, the PNL. However, the three far-right parties would not have the numbers to form a majority coalition based on the current electoral results.