Publications

Mayor election in Bucharest: An unexpected, clear victory with a bitter aftertaste

PNL candidate Ciprian Ciucu wins the Bucharest mayoral election, but populists are applying pressure.

With a serious yet relieved expression, Bucharest's future mayor, Ciprian Ciucu, appeared before the press on Sunday evening after the polls closed at 9 p.m. He presented himself as the winner, but at the same time found words of humility. He said he wanted to prove to those who had not voted for him that the right person has been chosen. The election was seen as an important test of sentiment for the national governing parties. The Bucharest election was one of 14 municipal elections in Romania on December 7. The election campaign in Bucharest dominated national news coverage—not unusual, given that two mayors of the capital have been elected president since the beginning of democratization in 1989. An early by-election had become necessary in the capital after Nicușor Dan, the previous mayor, had to leave office at the end of May when he was elected president.

Romania after the election: A difficult equation to solve

New president, new government, large budget deficit

Romania has experienced turbulent months: A gruelling presidential election campaign, the resignation of the prime minister, and ultimately a fragile coalition government mark a new political beginning. With Nicușor Dan and Ilie Bolojan, two reformers now lead a country plagued by fiscal problems and deep distrust of the political class. But the new government must first prove itself – in a parliament with difficult majorities, facing a disaffected population, and in the shadow of a budget crisis. A new beginning with many unknowns.

The impact of Rep. of Moldova and Ukraine joining the European Union

The study presents the agricultural sector's perspective on accession.

Presidential election in Romania: A neck-and-neck race

A decisive course will be set in Romania on 18 May 2025

George Simion (AUR) and Nicușor Dan (non-party), two candidates who are explicitly positioning themselves against the ‘system’ characterised by clientelism, corruption and impunity, are running in the run-off of the Romanian presidential election on 18 May 2025. The right-wing populist George Simion is an avowed fan of the MAGA policy concept and Donald Trump and is campaigning on isolationism, nationalism and territorial revanchism. The liberal Nicușor Dan represents the pro-European, moderate, pro-business and reform-oriented counter-image of a cosmopolitan Romania. Voters will decide on Sunday which of the two will be their next president.

Warning! Democracy collapsing!

How do we combat the democratic regression in Romania in the long term?

Romania's Economy Though the Lens of the Draghi Report

Solutions to increase competitiveness and adapt to global development trends

"Something has to change"

Analysis of qualitative research

This research sheds light on the perceptions, frustrations and hopes of Romanian citizens from different regions and provides an insight into the state of the country's political and social landscape.

Presidential elections annulled after hybrid attack

Romania is fighting for democracy on two fronts

Romania is fighting for democracy on two fronts. Firstly, against Russia's hybrid attack on the integrity of the presidential elections. And then on the familiar front against the system of clientelism and corruption, which is supported by forces that continue to prolong the power of the former communist elite. It does not help to ignore one problem in favour of the other. Romania needs a fundamentally different relationship between its institutions, politicians and citizens if it is to become a strong and resilient democracy.

Parliamentary elections in Romania: Majority urgently needed

Majority urgently needed

Just one week after the far-right Călin Georgescu unexpectedly came first in the first round of the Romanian presidential election, Romania's parliamentary elections took place on December 1, 2024. The result is a parliament full of medium-sized and small parties that will be very difficult to bind into a halfway stable government coalition. Since the appointment of the prime minister and the government is the task of the president, political attention is now turning again to the outcome of the presidential election, which is scheduled to take place on December 8.

Romania has voted

A resounding slap in the face for the ruling parties

Completely unexpectedly, the pro-Russian right-wing extremist Călin Georgescu is the first-placed candidate in the run-off election for the Romanian presidency. He is competing against the liberal Elena Lasconi (USR), who narrowly beat the third-placed Social Democrat Marcel Ciolacu (19.15%) with 19.18%. With their vote, Romanian voters have delivered a resounding political slap in the face to the leaders of the current governing coalition (PSD-PNL). With potentially devastating consequences for the country's political future and possible repercussions for European security and the defense capabilities of NATO's eastern flank.