In theory, his strong political background provides him with access to a broad voter base, along with the support of well-established party networks and regional strongholds that could make him a formidable contender.
“Together, the PNL and PSD control over 75 percent of Romania’s mayors,” said Remus Ștefureac, a political analyst and head of the polling agency Inscop Research.
Mayors, particularly in rural towns and villages, can be instrumental in rallying voter support. They often stress that having their party in national power can lead to easier access to funding for local development projects, which helps sway constituents.
However, regional politics in Romania can be notoriously tough. Some local leaders have been accused of using coercive tactics, such as threatening to cut minimum guaranteed income to those who withhold support. Others resort to offering cash—often around €20—to voters in exchange for their backing, especially in smaller communities. Although these actions are illegal, enforcement has been lax and many officials look the other way.
One individual, who requested anonymity due to fear of retaliation, described how these types of strategies were employed to gather a large crowd at a rally for Antonescu in a southern Romanian city just a few weeks ago. POLITICO reached out to the event’s organizers for comment but has yet to receive a response.
Despite having the backing of three political parties, Antonescu may face challenges. According to Ștefureac, uniting supporters from different political camps is no easy task—particularly when the PSD and PNL have historically been rivals.
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