2009 Romanian presidential election

Candidates

There were twelve candidates of which three ran as independents. The candidates of the major parties were: the then incumbent Traian Băsescu (independent, but supported by Democratic Liberal Party (PDL) and the official fraction of Christian Democratic National Peasants' Party (PNȚCD), led by Marian Miluț), Mircea Geoană (Social Democratic Party or PSD for short), Crin Antonescu (National Liberal Party (PNL) and the contender faction of PNȚCD, led by Radu Sîrbu), Hunor Kelemen (Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR/RMDSZ for short) and Corneliu Vadim Tudor (Greater Romania Party or PRM for short). Mayor of Bucharest Sorin Oprescu (formerly PSD member) announced his candidacy as an independent candidate on 5 October 2009; Băsescu had also been mayor of Bucharest before becoming president during the early 2000s.

Prince Radu of Romania, husband of Margareta of Romania first announced his candidacy to the office of President on 9 April 2009, but later withdrew.

Campaign

First round

The main contenders, incumbent Băsescu and the President of the Parliament Mircea Geoană, offered different ways to tackle the economic crisis, Romania being in the grip of severe recession with the economy expected to contract eight percent in 2009. While Geoană offered to increase investment to beat the recession and promised "vigorous measures" such as building affordable flats for young people and giving cheap credits to enterprises in order to help create jobs, Băsescu pledged to cut public spending. Băsescu also promised more equity to people living in the countryside. Christian Mititelu, a political commentator quoted by the BBC, argued that due to extremely vigorous political strife there was no real campaign debate about how the economy should recover or on the structure of the next year's budget, and that the public were not sufficiently aware of these economic issues, while the contenders did not attempt to communicate and involve the public in such decisions.

Băsescu tried to portray himself as the champion of the people against what he called "the corrupt political elite". A widely used election poster carried the text: "They cannot avoid what they are afraid of". Băsescu's opponents countered that he is part of that elite, simply with different backers. In a Cluj-Napoca meeting with supporters he claimed he "was the one to stop doubtful privatisations", implicitly accusing rival Social-Democrats of underhand practices while in power. He vowed to fight against the Parliament, which blocked his bid to install the Croitoru cabinet, and the "media moguls". In the campaign for the first round, his favorite campaign theme was reducing the number of lawmakers. This theme proved popular with the overwhelming majority of the electorate voting for the reduction of the number of lawmakers from current 471 to a maximum of 300, and in favor of a transition from the current bicameral parliament to a unicameral one in a referendum held simultaneously with the first round of elections. One of Băsescu's favorite themes is his fight against parliament and media moguls such as businessmen Dan Voiculescu, Sorin Ovidiu Vântu, and Dinu Patriciu, politicians Ion Iliescu, Viorel Hrebenciuc, and Marian Vanghelie.

The main counter-candidate, Geoană, on the other hand, described himself as a "man of dialogue", who can "restore Romania's unity", allegedly "jeopardized" by Băsescu. A former ambassador to the United States, former foreign minister, and a seasoned diplomat, Geoană edged aside more powerful figures in his Social Democratic party.

In the first round held on 22 November, Băsescu came first with 32.44% of the votes, and Geoană second with 31.15%. According to a BBC analyst a victory by Geoană would be caused by the numerous enemies Băsescu has made during his tenure, especially in the media. On the other hand, a victory of the incumbent could be generated by his counter-candidate alleged lack of "human touch", and because doubts remain over his ability to control the "red barons" in his own party. Crin Antonescu [of the National Liberals who scored third with 20.02%] was the first choice of all those who are fed up with Băsescu but could not bring themselves to vote Socialist. His voters hold the key to victory on 6 December.

Second round

Although Băsescu claimed the results of the first round were "a significant vote for the right" because he and Crin Antonescu together received over 50% of the vote, the next day Antonescu refused to back Băsescu in the runoff, and shortly thereafter announced an alliance with Geoană. Subsequently, Băsescu reproached Antonescu to "have thrown himself in the arms of the Social Democratic party, a party opposed to reforms", and added "This alliance will bring us back to 20 years ago when the PSD was controlling all state institutions". Antonescu in turn called Băsescu "a demagogue and a populist", and vowed to support Geoană as "the lesser of two evils". Geoană also gained the support of Béla Markó with his UDMR/RMDSZ and George Becali with his New Generation Party – Christian Democratic.

Sorin Oprescu decided not to support anyone and Corneliu Vadim Tudor with his PRM—at national level—called his voters to boycott the runoff round; however the PRM in Sibiu County decided to support Geoană. Geoană announced he would nominate Klaus Iohannis as prime minister if he won.

Geoană promised to appoint Klaus Iohannis as Prime Minister of Romania if he was elected president. Iohannis was the candidate supported by a majority in the Parliament of Romania. Romania had a caretaker government since the government of Emil Boc fell on 13 October. The parliament rejected Traian Băsescu's nomination of Lucian Croitoru for new prime minister on 4 November.

Opinion polls

Note: Opinion polls have been criticised in this election for their unreliability, with large differences in results obtained between different polling agencies.

First round

Exit polls

Second round

;Băsescu vs Geoană

Exit polls

Results

Aftermath

Accusations of electoral fraud

The opposition has decided to contest the result; Mircea Geoană announced that the Social Democrats will contest the elections at the Constitutional Court and will submit evidence of electoral fraud. PSD Secretary General Liviu Dragnea cited "a high number of void ballots, modified voting protocols, and massive electoral tourism". Dragnea stated: "Romanians voted for Mircea Geoană, but Băsescu's state apparatus is trying to make him the presidential winner through fraud". Former Prime Minister Adrian Năstase and former President Ion Iliescu, both PSD members, also stated that they doubted the results.

Mircea Geoană has also stated that the Social Democrats exclude any collaboration with Băsescu and his party, and maintain the majority with the Liberals and Hungarian Democrats, while Crin Antonescu also stated that the Liberal Party excludes "any participation in a Traian Băsescu puppet government".

Constitutional Court proceedings

On 8 December, the Social Democratic Party submitted their request to annul and repeat the presidential election run-off to the Constitutional Court, saying the election was rigged.

On 11 December, in an unprecedented decision the Constitutional Court decided to recount all 138,476 invalid votes. After 137,613 invalid votes recounted, only 2,137 were revalidated (1.6% of recounted invalid votes), 1,169 votes for Traian Băsescu and 968 for Mircea Geoană.

On 14 December, the Constitutional Court rejected the request to repeat the presidential elections, paving the way to validate Băsescu's election. The same day, Geoană admitted defeat and wished Băsescu good luck in his second term in office.

Notes

References

References

1. (23 April 2012). "Tăriceanu: "Datele problemei sunt cu totul altele. Fiecare partid are un interes propriu". Despre refuzul lui Antonescu de a discuta cu PD-L: "E bine să avem și păreri personale"".
2. "Rezultate finale BEC: Băsescu, preşedinte cu 50,33% din voturi".
3. Alex Bivol. "Romania incumbent president Basescu wins second term – South Eastern Europe". The Sofia Echo.
4. (7 December 2009). "Romanian opposition alleges fraud".
5. "Bloomberg Politics".
6. McLaughlin, Daniel. "Romania divided and paralysed by president's disputed, wafer-thin win". The Irish Times.
7. "Geoana demands repeat of presidential elections".
8. "EVZ.ro – Gordon Brown: Băsescu trebuie să continue reforma în justiţie".
9. "{{in lang{{!}}ro}} Romanian Central Electoral Commission".
10. {{in lang. ro [http://www.mediafax.ro/politic/kelemen-hunor-a-fost-votat-drept-candidat-al-udmr-la-presedinti.html?1687;4600774 "Kelemen Hunor a fost votat drept candidat al UDMR la Preşedinţi" ("Hunor Kelemen Voted UDMR Presidential Candidate")], Mediafax, 27 June 2009
11. "Romania's Geoana announces presidential candidacy". SETimes.com.
12. "Romania's Antonescu, Tudor join presidential race". SETimes.com.
13. "Bucharest mayor Sorin Oprescu enters presidential race". SETimes.com.
14. posten. "Bukarests Bürgermeister Oprescu überlegt Präsidentschaftskandidatur – Rumänien – derStandard.at " International". Derstandard.at.
15. "Prince Radu, the first official candidate to the office of President of Romania".
16. "Official site".
17. "princeradublog.ro".
18. Isabelle Wesselingh (AFP) – 14 November 2009, [https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hIIFBZS9EuJ1RDmAXawK9YgAEYGw Romanian president steps up attacks ahead of poll]
19. [https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8374506.stm "Romania election's strange enigma"], BBC
20. Mihaela Rodina (AFP), [https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i-_f0Ohsqzm6Ti0m-7bpx-JFHwEw Alliance battle starts as Romania heads for presidential run-off]
21. Alison Mutler (AP), [https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gb_dTCIc_ALCYh6xks-fA7fx60HgD9C5CJF01 Romania's president, rival in runoff election]
22. [http://english.hotnews.ro/stiri-top_news-6554214-pnl-decided-unanimously-support-mircea-geoana-the-second-round-udmr-aims-for-tight-collaboration-with-liberals.htm PNL decided unanimously to support Mircea Geoana in the second round. UDMR aims for a tight collaboration with liberals ], English. HotNews.ro, 24 November 2009
23. [http://www.seeurope.net/?q=node/18543 Romania: Traian Basescu, Mircea Geoana Face Runoff], SeeEurope.net, 24 November 2009
24. [http://www.bucharestherald.com/politics/34-politics/7572-basescu-glad-an-alliance-against-him-was-set-up-expects-prm-to-join-it Băsescu – glad an alliance against him was set up, expects PRM to join it...] {{Dead link. (September 2018)
25. [http://www.romaniapress.com/news-1003582.html Romania: Start of electoral campaign for presidential runoff] {{Webarchive. link. (15 July 2011 , romaniapress.com, 27 November 2009)
26. [http://english.hotnews.ro/stiri-top_news-6566836-political-premier-sibiu-prm-and-udm-agree-support-mircea-geoana.htm Political premier in Sibiu: PRM and UDM agree to support Mircea Geoana], hotnews.ro, 26 November 2009
27. {{in lang. ro [http://prezidentiale.evz.ro/emain/articolul/878475/Romania-lui-Basescu-Romania-lui-Geoana/ România lui Băsescu, România lui Geoană] {{Webarchive. link. (7 December 2009)
28. {{in lang. ro [http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-6407228-hotnews-nu-mai-publica-sondaje-opinie-subiect-politic-durata-campaniei-electorale.htm HotNews.ro nu va mai publica sondaje de opinie cu subiect politic pe durata campaniei electorale], HotNews.ro, 3 November 2009
29. {{in lang. ro [http://www.mediafax.ro/blog/general/de-ce-nu-dam-sondaje-politice/ De ce nu dam sondaje politice], Mediafax, 2 November 2009
30. Kulish, Nicholas. (6 December 2009). "Victory Claimed by Both Candidates in Romania (Published 2009)". The New York Times.
31. (23 April 2012). "Vezi cum arătau exit poll-urile, duminică, la încheierea votului pentru președintele României. Citește Live Textul din ziua alegerilor – Gândul".
32. "bec2009p.ro".
33. "bec2009p.ro".
34. "Băsescu, pe primul loc la votul în Italia, Spania, SUA; Geoană câştigă în Rusia, Belarus şi teatre".
35. (8 December 2009). "Moldovan PM 'Satisfied' With Romanian Vote Result". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
36. (7 December 2009). "Klaus Johannis: Parcursul meu de posibil premier s-a terminat aici. Sunt si raman in Sibiu – Politic – HotNews.ro".
37. "Bloomberg Politics – Bloomberg".
38. (7 December 2009). "Social Democrats decided to contest elections / Mircea Geoana: we exclude any collaboration with the Democrat Liberals and maintain the majority with the Liberals and Hungarian Democrats – Top News – HotNews.ro".
39. "Romania opposition party contests election results, accusing Basescu supporters of fraud".
40. (10 December 2009). "Liberal leader Crin Antonescu: Basescu does not wish for a Government with PNL, but to engulf, compromise or break the liberals – Politics – HotNews.ro".
41. "Curtea Constituţională a decis renumărarea voturilor nule".
42. {{in lang. ro [http://www.impactnews.ro/Alegeri/S-a-%C3%AEncheiat-renum%C4%83rarea-voturilor-na%C5%A3ionale-nule-de-la-BEC-25535 S-a încheiat renumărarea voturilor naţionale nule de la BEC] {{Webarchive. link. (15 December 2009)
43. "Alegerile nu se repetă: Cererea PSD de anulare a turului II, respinsă de CCR. Băsescu obţine un nou mandat".
44. {{in lang. ro [http://prezidentiale.evz.ro/emain/articolul/879745/Geoana-Ii-urez-succes-lui-Traian-Basescu- Geoană: Îi urez succes lui Traian Băsescu!] {{Webarchive. link. (17 December 2009)