The partial local elections in Bucharest have been extensively covered by the foreign press.
Politico notes that the residents of the Romanian Capital have elected a centrist mayor, rejecting the far-right supported candidate. The publication emphasizes that the victory of Ciprian Ciucu, a close ally of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, comes in a context marked by unpopular austerity measures and political turmoil following the cancellation of the 2024 presidential elections.
The result helps Prime Minister Bolojan
Ciprian Ciucu, a center-right politician and candidate of the National Liberal Party, will be the new mayor of the Capital after winning Sunday’s election. Ciucu, considered an ally of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, obtained approximately 36% of the votes, as mentioned by Politico.
He defeated Anca Alexandrescu, a TV presenter supported by AUR, who came in second with around 22%. The candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Daniel Băluță, came in third place, despite being considered a favorite in numerous polls.
Politico notes that the result helps Prime Minister Bolojan at a time when he is trying to promote politically sensitive austerity measures - tax increases and job cuts in the public sector - to reduce a budget deficit that has reached 9% of GDP. The opposition has already filed a motion of no confidence against him, contesting the pension reform scheduled for December 15.
"Beyond this victory, it's probably a good thing that this coalition will continue. The government has promised reforms, and it's time to implement them. From my political position, I will help ensure that these reforms are carried out," said Ciucu on Sunday evening.
Bucharest was led until May by the independent liberal Nicușor Dan, who resigned from his mandate after being elected as the President of Romania.
The publication also recalls the recent turmoil in Romanian politics: an ultranationalist candidate who went viral on TikTok won the first round of the presidential elections in November 2024, and the election was later annulled due to suspicions of Russian interference, with the courts ordering a repeat of the elections.