2009 Romanian presidential election

none August 2019 Romania presidential 2004 Romanian general election 2004 2014 Romanian presidential election 2014 22 November 2009 (first round)6 December 2009 (second round) 54.37% (first round) 4.12pp 58.02% (second round) 2.81pp Democratic Liberal Party (Romania) EPP Summit; Meise, Dec. 2013 (11449226465) (cropped 2).jpg Traian Băsescu Independentnb The President of Romania traditionally resigns from party membership after taking office. Although Băsescu was officially an independent, his campaign was endorsed and funded by Democratic Liberal Party. 5,275,808 50.33% Mircea Geoană (2).jpg Mircea Geoană Social Democratic Party (Romania) 5,205,760 49.67% Presidential election 2009 second round.png Second round vote strength by county President Traian Băsescu Independent politician Traian Băsescu Independent politician Presidential elections were held in Romania in 2009. They were the sixth presidential elections held in post-1989 Romania. The first round took place on 22 November, with a run-off round between the top two candidates Traian Băsescu (supported by the Democratic Liberal Party or PDL for short) and Mircea Geoană (supported by the Social Democratic Party or PSD for short) on 6 December 2009. Although most exit polls suggested a victory for Geoană in the runoff, the authorities declared Băsescu the narrow winner with 50.33% of the votes.https://www.gandul.ro/politica/tariceanu-datele-problemei-sunt-cu-totul-altele-fiecare-partid-are-un-interes-propriu-despre-refuzul-lui-antonescu-de-a-discuta-cu-pd-l-e-bine-sa-avem-si-pareri-personale-5158680 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" 23 April 2012https://jurnalul.ro/stiri/politica/rezultate-finale-bec-basescu-presedinte-cu-50-33-din-voturi-529659.html https://web.archive.org/web/20170826025958/http://jurnalul.ro/stire-alegeri-2009/bec-rezultate-finale-neomologate-ora-14-50-traian-basescu-50-33-mircea-geoana-49-66-529659.html dead Rezultate finale BEC: Băsescu, preşedinte cu 50,33% din voturi 26 August 2017 jurnalul.ro To date, it is the closest presidential election in the political history of Romania. The opposition contested the results, citing a "high number of void ballots, modified voting protocols, and massive electoral tourism", vowing to challenge the result in the constitutional court.Alex Bivol http://www.sofiaecho.com/2009/12/07/826991_romania-incumbent-president-basescu-wins-second-term Romania incumbent president Basescu wins second term – South Eastern Europe The Sofia Echo 7 December 2009https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8399334.stm Romanian opposition alleges fraud 7 December 2009 news.bbc.co.uk The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) declared that the election "was held generally in line with OSCE commitments",https://www.bloomberg.com/politics Bloomberg Politics Bloomberg.com but also urged the authorities to investigate claims of fraud.https://www.irishtimes.com/news/romania-divided-and-paralysed-by-president-s-disputed-wafer-thin-win-1.786051 Romania divided and paralysed by president's disputed, wafer-thin win Daniel McLaughlin The Irish Times On 8 December, the Social Democratic Party (PSD) submitted a request to annul and repeat the run-off to the Constitutional Court, claiming it had been rigged.http://www.romaniantimes.at/news/General_News/2009-12-08/4862/Geoana_demands_repeat_of_presidential_elections Geoana demands repeat of presidential elections 8 December 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091213064842/http://www.romaniantimes.at/news/General_News/2009-12-08/4862/Geoana_demands_repeat_of_presidential_elections 13 December 2009 dead On 14 December, the Constitutional Court rejected the request after recounting all the annulled votes.EVZ.ro – Gordon Brown: Băsescu trebuie să continue reforma în justiţie http://www.evz.ro/articole/detalii-articol/879858/G-Brown-Basescu-trebuie-sa-continue-reforma-in-justitie/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20091218172104/http://www.evz.ro/articole/detalii-articol/879858/G-Brown-Basescu-trebuie-sa-continue-reforma-in-justitie/ 2009-12-18 2021-12-16 www.evz.ro A referendum was held alongside the first round of voting on introducing a unicameral parliament of up to 300 deputies (replacing the existing bicameral parliament) and reducing the number of MPs to 300 but retaining the bicameral structure. Candidates There were twelve candidates of which three ran as independents.http://www.bec2009p.ro/candidati.html Romanian Central Electoral Commission 14 November 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091015010037/http://www.bec2009p.ro/candidati.html 15 October 2009 dead 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)ro "Kelemen Hunor a fost votat drept candidat al UDMR la Preşedinţi" ("Hunor Kelemen Voted UDMR Presidential Candidate"), Mediafax, 27 June 2009 and Corneliu Vadim Tudor (Greater Romania Party or PRM for short).http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/newsbriefs/2009/04/03/nb-03 Romania's Geoana announces presidential candidacy SETimes.com 7 December 2009http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/newsbriefs/2009/05/11/nb-08 Romania's Antonescu, Tudor join presidential race SETimes.com 7 December 2009 Mayor of Bucharest Sorin Oprescu (formerly PSD member) announced his candidacy as an independent candidate on 5 October 2009;http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2009/10/06/nb-06 Bucharest mayor Sorin Oprescu enters presidential race SETimes.com 7 December 2009 Băsescu had also been mayor of Bucharest before becoming president during the early 2000s.posten http://derstandard.at/fs/1246543132952/Bukarests-Buergermeister-Oprescu-ueberlegt-Praesidentschaftskandidatur Bukarests Bürgermeister Oprescu überlegt Präsidentschaftskandidatur – Rumänien – derStandard.at " International Derstandard.at 7 December 2009 Prince Radu of Romania, husband of Margareta of Romania first announced his candidacy to the office of President on 9 April 2009,http://www.princeradu.ro/news/2303/17/Principele-Radu---primul-candidat-oficial-la-presedintia-Romaniei https://web.archive.org/web/20090412064112/http://www.princeradu.ro/news/2303/17/Principele-Radu---primul-candidat-oficial-la-presedintia-Romaniei dead Prince Radu, the first official candidate to the office of President of Romania 12 April 2009 but later withdrew.http://www.princeradu.ro/news/2890/17/Declaratie-de-Presa-02-Septembrie-2009 Official site 2 September 2009 5 September 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090905155343/http://www.princeradu.ro/news/2890/17/Declaratie-de-Presa-02-Septembrie-2009 deadhttp://www.princeradublog.ro/atitudini/statement-of-prince-radu-of-romania/ princeradublog.ro www.princeradublog.ro Name Lifespan Public Administration Experience Affiliation and endorsements Alma mater and profession Candidacy Announcement datesBăsescu192x192pxTraian BăsescuBorn: dmy 1951 11 04(age 1951 11 04 2009 12 06)Basarabi, Constanța CountyPresident of Romania (2004–election day)Mayor of Bucharest (2000–2004)Deputy (1992–2000)Minister of Transport (1991–1992, 1996–1998, 1998–2000)Sub-Secretary of State for Naval Transportation with the Ministry of Transport (1990–1991)Director of Civil Navigation Inspectorate with the Ministry of Transport (1989–1990)Former presidential election:2004: 33.9% (2nd place, 1st round), 51.2% (winner, 2nd round)Affiliation: PDLMircea cel Bătrân Naval Academy (1976)seamanGeoanăx160pxMircea GeoanăBorn: dmy 1958 7 14(age 1958 7 14 2009 12 06)BucharestPresident of the Senate of Romania (2008–election day)Senator (2004–election day)Minister of Foreign Affairs (2000–2004)Romanian Ambassador to US (1996–2000)Affiliation: Alliance PSD+PCFaculty of Mechanics, Politehnica University of Bucharest (1983)Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest (1993)diplomatAntonescux160pxCrin AntonescuBorn: dmy 1959 09 21(age 1959 09 21 2009 11 22)Tulcea, Tulcea CountySenator (2008–election day)Minister of Youth and Sport (1997–2000)Deputy (1992–2008)Affiliation: PNLFaculty of History and Philosophy, University of Bucharest (1985)history teacher, museum curatorTudorx160pxCorneliu Vadim TudorBorn: dmy 1949 11 28(age 1949 11 28 2009 11 22)BucharestDied: dmy 2015 09 14, BucharestMEP (2009–election day)Senator (1992–2008)Former presidential elections:2004: 12.6% (3rd place, 1st round)2000: 28.3% (2nd place, 1st round), 33.2% (2nd place, 2nd round)1996: 4.7% (5th place, 1st round)Affiliation: PRMFaculty of Philosophy, University of Bucharest (1971)journalist, writerKelemenx160pxKelemen Hunordmy 1967 10 18(age 1967 10 18 2009 11 22)Cârța, Harghita CountyDeputy (2000–election day)Secretary of State with the Minister of Culture (1997–2000)Affiliation: UDMRUniversity of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca (1993),Faculty of Philosophy, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca (1998)veterinarian, philosophy teacherOprescux160pxSorin OprescuBorn: dmy 1951 11 7(age 1951 11 7 2009 11 22)BucharestMayor of Bucharest (2008–election day)Senator (2000–2008)Affiliation: noneCarol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (1976)surgeonBecalix160pxGigi BecaliBorn: dmy 1958 06 25(age 1958 06 25 2009 11 22)Vădeni, Brăila CountyMEP (2009–election day)Former presidential election:2004: 1.8% (6th place, 1st round)Affiliation: PNG-CD"Iuliu Maniu" high school, Bucharest (1978)shepherd, football club ownerCerneax160pxRemus CerneaBorn: dmy 1974 06 25(age 1974 06 25 2009 11 22)BucharestAffiliation: Green PartyFaculty of Philosophy, University of Bucharest (2002)civic activistRotarux160pxConstantin RotaruBorn: dmy 1955 07 23(age 1955 07 23 2009 11 22)Dănicei, Vâlcea CountyDeputy (1992–1996)Affiliation: Socialist Alliance Partyunknown educationunknownManolex160pxEduard ManoleBorn: dmy 1964 03 21(age 1964 03 21 2009 11 22)Constanța, Constanța CountyFormer presidential election:2000: 1.2% (8th place, 1st round)Affiliation: noneFaculty of Physics, University of Bucharest (unknown year)physicistIanex160pxOvidiu-Cristian IaneBorn: dmy 1970 10 12(age 1970 10 12 2009 11 22)Craiova, Dolj CountyAffiliation: PERFaculty of International Economic Relations, Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies (unknown year)Faculty of Political Sciences, Bucharest (unknown year)unknownPotîrcăx160pxConstantin-Ninel PotîrcăBorn: dmy 1967 11 20(age 1967 11 20 2009 11 22)Târgu Jiu, Gorj CountyAffiliation: noneunknown studiesused iron recycler 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.Isabelle Wesselingh (AFP) – 14 November 2009, Romanian president steps up attacks ahead of poll 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."Romania election's strange enigma", BBC 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".Mihaela Rodina (AFP), Alliance battle starts as Romania heads for presidential run-off Antonescu in turn called Băsescu "a demagogue and a populist", and vowed to support Geoană as "the lesser of two evils".Alison Mutler (AP), Romania's president, rival in runoff election Geoană also gained the support of Béla Markó with his UDMR/RMDSZ and George Becali with his New Generation Party – Christian Democratic.August 2020 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.PNL decided unanimously to support Mircea Geoana in the second round. UDMR aims for a tight collaboration with liberals , English. HotNews.ro, 24 November 2009Romania: Traian Basescu, Mircea Geoana Face Runoff, SeeEurope.net, 24 November 2009Băsescu – glad an alliance against him was set up, expects PRM to join it... September 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes , Bucharestherald.com, 24 November 2009Romania: Start of electoral campaign for presidential runoff https://web.archive.org/web/20110715201114/http://www.romaniapress.com/news-1003582.html 15 July 2011 , romaniapress.com, 27 November 2009Political premier in Sibiu: PRM and UDM agree to support Mircea Geoana, hotnews.ro, 26 November 2009 Geoană announced he would nominate Klaus Iohannis as prime minister if he won.ro România lui Băsescu, România lui Geoană https://web.archive.org/web/20091207113538/http://prezidentiale.evz.ro/emain/articolul/878475/Romania-lui-Basescu-Romania-lui-Geoana 7 December 2009 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.August 2020 Opinion polls Note: Opinion polls have been criticised in this election for their unreliability, with large differences in results obtained between different polling agencies.ro HotNews.ro nu va mai publica sondaje de opinie cu subiect politic pe durata campaniei electorale, HotNews.ro, 3 November 2009ro De ce nu dam sondaje politice, Mediafax, 2 November 2009 First round Polling FirmDateSourceBăsescuGeoanăAntonescuOprescuTudorKelemenOthersUndecidedGSS16 May 200930.8%24.3%20.3%5.5%N/A7.8%5%CURS26 June 2009https://archive.today/20121205232620/http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/33801/basescu_is_most_popular_candidate_in_romania36%24%20%11%2%3%N/AINSOMAR12 July 200935.7%29.6%16.8%11.9%N/AN/AN/AGallup Romania16–20 July 200935%18%20%10%3%N/AN/ACCSB17–19 September 200934%18%19%12%7%1%N/AN/AINSOMAR8–11/10/0933.4%28.5%14.5%8.1%6.1%4.3%N/AN/ACSOP16–18 October 200935%24%19%8%4%4%N/AN/ACURS15–22 October 200931%30%17%9%5%4%4%N/ABCS19 October 2009https://archive.today/20130113122548/http://www.informatia-zilei.ro/new/2009/10/25/bcs-antonescu-a-urcat-pe-locul-doi/31.3%21.9%23.8%10.4%3.7%3.8%5.1%N/AOperations Research20–23 October 200931%21%22%12%6%29/10-1/11 /096%INSOMAR29/10–1/11 /0930%32%19%6%7%3%5.1%N/AGallup Romania01–03/11/0932.5%21.5%21.5%11%5%2.5%N/ACCSB3 November 2009 April 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes 34%30%18%14%3%1%1%INSOMAR9 November 200931%32%18%5%6%5%N/ACCSB11 November 200934%31%16%10%4%3%2%Operations Research15 November 200930%23%26%8%6%4%3%CSOP18 November 200937%27%20%6%3%5%2%Operations Research19 November 2009 September 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes 32.5%23.5%24.5%7%6%4%2.5% Exit polls Polling FirmSourceBăsescuGeoanăAntonescuTudorKelemenOprescuCSOPhttps://archive.today/20130218231849/http://www.gandul.info/news/breaking-news-basescu-si-geoana-intra-in-turul-2-cei-doi-au-depasit-pragul-de-30-la-suta-crin-antonescu-a-obtinut-peste-20-la-suta-5122949 Gândul33.2%30.3%22%4.9%CURSTVR33.7%31.4%21.5%4.2%3.3%3.2%INSOMARRealitatea TV32.8%31.7%21.8%4%3.6%3.5%CCSBAntena 334.1%30.9%22.1%3.6%3.6%3.4% Second round Băsescu vs Geoană Polling FirmDateSourceBăsescuGeoanăINCOR28 June 200952%48%CCSB27 July 200953%47%CCSB3 October 200947%53%CSOP7 October 200953%47%INSOMAR8–11/10/0949.4%50.6%CURS26 October 200950%50%INSOMAR29/10–1/11 /0947%53%CCSB3 November 2009 April 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes 46%54%INSOMAR6–9/11 /0947%53%INSOMAR28–29/11 /0946%54% Exit polls Polling FirmDateSourceBăsescuGeoanăINSOMAR 21:006 /12 /0948.8%51.2%CSOP 21:006 /12 /0950.4%49.6%CURS 21:006 /12 /0949.3%50.7%CCSB 21:006 /12 /0949%51% Results thumb|right|300px|Voter turnout for the 2009 Romanian Presidential election – First round thumb|right|300px|Number of votes on "special lists" – First round 300px|thumb|right|The results of the first voting round by county and in the Bucharest municipality 300px|thumb|right|The results of the first voting round by communes (some commune borders are inaccurate) 300px|thumb|right|The results of the second voting round by county and in the Bucharest municipalitythumb|298x298px|The results of the second voting round by communes (some commune borders are inaccurate)Both runoff candidates declared themselves winners after tight exit polls.https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/07/world/europe/07romania.html Victory Claimed by Both Candidates in Romania (Published 2009) Nicholas Kulish The New York Times 6 December 2009http://www.gandul.info/politica/geoana-51-6-basescu-48-4-insomar-ccsb-g-51-2-b-48-8-csop-g-50-b-50-curs-g-50-8-b-49-2-basescu-si-geoana-s-au-declarat-invingatori-5156935 Vezi cum arătau exit poll-urile, duminică, la încheierea votului pentru președintele României. Citește Live Textul din ziua alegerilor – Gândul 23 April 2012 On Monday, 7 December 2009 at 8 am, BEC published the first official partial results, after having counted the votes from 95.4% of the total of 21706 poll stations. According to these partial results, Traian Băsescu had achieved 50.43% of the total eligible votes, while Mircea Geoană got the rest of 49.57%.http://www.bec2009p.ro/Documente+PDF/Rezultate/Rezultate+partiale+turul+II/partiale+ora8.pdf bec2009p.ro www.bec2009p.ro The official partial results tallied at 10:16 am (Monday, 7 December 2009) attested that Traian Băsescu achieved 50.37% of the total eligible votes and Mircea Geoană 49.62%.http://www.bec2009p.ro/Documente+PDF/Rezultate/Rezultate+partiale+turul+II/partiale+ora10.pdf bec2009p.ro www.bec2009p.ro A majority of 79% the votes from abroad, fully counted in this tally, went for Băsescu (115,831 to 31,045).https://jurnalul.ro/stiri/politica/basescu-pe-primul-loc-la-votul-in-italia-spania-sua-geoana-castiga-in-rusia-belarus-si-teatre-529684.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220308/http://jurnalul.ro/stire-alegeri-2009/basescu-pe-primul-loc-la-votul-in-italia-spania-sua-geoana-castiga-in-rusia-belarus-si-teatre-529684.html dead Băsescu, pe primul loc la votul în Italia, Spania, SUA; Geoană câştigă în Rusia, Belarus şi teatre 3 March 2016 jurnalul.ro Some 94% of the estimated 200,000 Moldovans with Romanian citizenship who voted in the election cast their vote for Băsescu, who has been a vocal advocate of Moldovans' right to regain Romanian citizenship.https://www.rferl.org/a/Moldovan_PM_Satisfied_With_Romanian_Vote_Result/1897332.html Moldovan PM 'Satisfied' With Romanian Vote Result Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty 8 December 2009 Following final results, Sibiu mayor Klaus Iohannis announced that he is abandoning his bid to become prime minister in the current situation.https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-6685693-klaus-johannis-parcursul-meu-posibil-premier-terminat-aici-sunt-raman-sibiu.htm Klaus Johannis: Parcursul meu de posibil premier s-a terminat aici. Sunt si raman in Sibiu – Politic – HotNews.ro 7 December 2009 www.hotnews.ro Romanian stock markets fell to a four-month low after the official results were announced, deepening a political crisis that threatens ties with international lenders.https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=avb0O2xlEfG4 Bloomberg Politics – Bloomberg Bloomberg.com Traian Băsescu Independent (PDL) 3153640 5275808 Mircea Geoană Social Democratic Party 3027838 5205760 Crin Antonescu National Liberal Party 1945831 Corneliu Vadim Tudor Greater Romania Party 540380 Hunor Kelemen Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania 372764 Sorin Oprescu Independent 309764 George Becali New Generation Party 186390 Remus Cernea Green Party 60539 Constantin Rotaru Socialist Alliance Party 43684 Gheorghe-Eduard Manole Independent 34189 Ovidiu-Cristian Iane Ecologist Party of Romania 22515 Constantin-Ninel Potîrcă Independent 21306 227446 138476 18293277 18303224 ROAEP Vote share #ddd 600px 500px Second round Băsescu Democratic Liberal Party (Romania) 50.33 Geoană Social Democratic Party (Romania) 49.67 First round Băsescu Democratic Liberal Party (Romania) 32.45 Geoană Social Democratic Party (Romania) 31.15 Antonescu National Liberal Party (Romania) 20.02 Tudor Greater Romania Party 5.56 Kelemen Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania 3.84 Oprescu #66ccff 3.19 Becali New Generation Party (Romania) 1.92 Others #777777 1.87 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.https://english.hotnews.ro/stiri-top_news-6691428-social-democrats-decided-contest-elections-mircea-geoana-exclude-any-collaboration-with-the-democrat-liberals-and-maintain-the-majority-with-the-liberals-and-hungarian-democrats.htm 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 7 December 2009 english.hotnews.ro 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".http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/091207/world/eu_romania_presidential_elections Romania opposition party contests election results, accusing Basescu supporters of fraud 7 December 2009 30 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100130034804/http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/091207/world/eu_romania_presidential_elections dead Former Prime Minister Adrian Năstase and former President Ion Iliescu, both PSD members, also stated that they doubted the results.June 2012 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".https://english.hotnews.ro/stiri-politics-6706652-liberal-leader-crin-antonescu-basescu-does-not-wish-for-government-with-pnl-but-engulf-compromise-break-the-liberals.htm Liberal leader Crin Antonescu: Basescu does not wish for a Government with PNL, but to engulf, compromise or break the liberals – Politics – HotNews.ro 10 December 2009 english.hotnews.ro 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.https://www.antena3.ro/politica/curtea-constitutionala-a-decis-renumararea-voturilor-nule-87209.html Curtea Constituţională a decis renumărarea voturilor nule www.antena3.ro 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.ro S-a încheiat renumărarea voturilor naţionale nule de la BEC https://web.archive.org/web/20091215141643/http://www.impactnews.ro/Alegeri/S-a-%C3%AEncheiat-renum%C4%83rarea-voturilor-na%C5%A3ionale-nule-de-la-BEC-25535 15 December 2009 On 14 December, the Constitutional Court rejected the request to repeat the presidential elections, paving the way to validate Băsescu's election.https://www.antena3.ro/politica/alegerile-nu-se-repeta-cererea-psd-de-anulare-a-turului-ii-respinsa-de-ccr-basescu-obtine-un-nou-87411.html Alegerile nu se repetă: Cererea PSD de anulare a turului II, respinsă de CCR. Băsescu obţine un nou mandat www.antena3.ro The same day, Geoană admitted defeat and wished Băsescu good luck in his second term in office.ro Geoană: Îi urez succes lui Traian Băsescu! https://web.archive.org/web/20091217091127/http://prezidentiale.evz.ro/emain/articolul/879745/Geoana-Ii-urez-succes-lui-Traian-Basescu- 17 December 2009 Notes nb References Further reading Recession Bad, Communism Worse in Romania OSCE second round preliminary report https://web.archive.org/web/20160110021629/http://www.osce.org/documents/odihr/2009/12/41929_en.pdf 10 January 2016 , press release September 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes Category:Presidential elections in Romania Romanian presidential election Romanian presidential election Romanian presidential President