Opposition Parties Form Alliance in Romania

Leftist Social Democrats and rightist Liberals and Conservatives are divided by ideology but united in hostility to the current government of Prime Minister Emil Boc. As a result, they have decided to join their forces with a view to oust the center-right government in the next general election set for 2012.

The three parties on February 5 signed a protocol forming the Social Liberal Union, USL, an alliance aiming to "put an end" to the government of Emil Boc and to help Romanians "get rid of President Traian Basescu".

USL agreed to present one candidate for all parties at local elections to be held next spring, planning also to form the next government together. They have not yet decided, however, on a common platform.

“I am sure that the union and the alliance partners will have success together for Romania’s sake. God will be in front of us”, said Crin Antonescu, the president of Liberal Party, PNL.

On his part, the leader of the Social Democratic Party, PSD, Victor Ponta said the Union “will relaunch the economy, will make justice and will offer a hope to the people. We will be the voice of most Romanians”.

The PNL has meanwhile formed its own centre-right alliance with the Conservative Party, PC, a small opposition party whose leader runs one of the most important TV networks in Romania. Together, Romania's three opposition parties hold 213 of the 470 seats in parliament.

Observers say the new alliance is unlikely to bring down the government before the 2012 elections. But it may do well then.

“The alliance of opposition parties will not shift the balance of power in parliament and is rather focused on bolstering support in elections due next year”, says political analyst Andrei Taranu. “But the Union itself will face the challenge to present an efficient governing project in order to really reform Romania”.

Co-operation among opposition parties is not new in Romania. In April 2007, they united to impeach president Traian Basescu, accusing him of violating the constitution and abusing his role. Basescu was suspended for one month by parliament but on May 19 that year survived a referendum on his impeachment.

Recent polls show that the united opposition parties are the favourites to win any future parliamentary election. They put the Social Democrats and Liberals on around 38 and 24 per cent respectively. The centre-right Democratic Party of Prime Minister Boc trails well behind on about 16 per cent.

Boc's party has seen its ratings slump in recent months, following the adoption of tough austerity measures.
In July, the government cut all state-sector wages and increased VAT to 24 per cent in order to meet the terms of a 20-billion-euro aid package led by the IMF.