Romania

Chamber of Deputies Senate

Chamber of Deputies

Political system: Presidential-Parliamentary
Structure of parliament: Bicameral
IPU membership: Yes

Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections.

Background

Election date(s): 11 Dec 2016
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: No information available
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry
Number of seats at stake: 329
Scope of elections: Full renewal

Candidates

Number of parties contesting the election: 11
Total number of candidates: 4,250

Notes:
Number of seats at stake: 312 directly elected members and 17 members representing ethnic minorities.

If a legally established national minority does not win any seats in either chamber of Parliament, the citizens' organization representing that national minority is entitled to one seat in the Chamber of Deputies (under certain conditions). There are 19 legally established national minorities; the Czech and Slovak minorities are represented by one person. A maximum of 18 seats can therefore be allocated to national minorities. In 2016, 17 members representing ethnic minorities entered the Chamber of Deputies since the Hungarian Minorities are represented in the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR).
Number of female candidates: -

Notes: A total of 6,476 candidates ran in the 2016 elections. They included 1,797 women, or 27.7%.
Percentage of women candidates: 0.0%

Voter turnout

Registered voters: 18,403,044
Voters: 7,323,368
Voter turnout: 39.8%

Results

About the election: The Social Democratic Party (PSD), led by former Deputy Prime Minister Liviu Dragnea, became the largest force in both chambers of parliament but fell short of an outright majority. The PSD nevertheless took twice as many seats as the next largest party, the National Liberal Party (PNL). During the election campaign, the major parties focused on the economy, tax reform and job creation.

On 4 January 2017, parliament approved the formation of a coalition government comprising the PSD and the Liberal-Democrat Alliance (ALDE, led by Senate President Calin Popescu-Tariceanu). President Klaus Iohannis subsequently swore in the new government, headed by Mr. Sorin Grindeanu (PSD).

The 2016 elections were held under the new electoral system adopted in 2015. The previous Mixed Member Proportional System had frequently resulted in numerous overhang seats. All members in both chambers are now elected under the proportional representation system. As a consequence, the number of members in both chambers decreased following the 2016 elections: 329 members (including 17 ethnic minorities) in the Chamber of Deputies, down from 412; and 136 senators, down from 176.
Number of parties winning seats: 6
Percentage of parties winning seats: 54.5%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition: 46.8%
Alternation of power after elections: Not applicable
Number of parties in government: 2
Names of parties in government: Social Democratic Party (PSD), Liberal-Democrat Alliance (ALDE)

Parties or coalitions winning seats

Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group	Total
Social Democratic Party (PSD)	154
National Liberal Party (PNL)	69
Save Romania Union (USR)	30
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR)	21
Liberal-Democrat Alliance (ALDE)	20
Popular Movement Party (PMP)	18
Members representing ethnic minorities	17

Members elected, by sex

Number of men elected: 261
Number of women elected: 68
Percentage of women elected: 20.7%
Women Directly Elected: 68
Sources: Chamber of Deputies (19.12.2016)

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New legislature

Total number of men after the election: 261
Total number of women after the election: 68
Percentage of women after the election: 20.7%
First-term parliamentarians: 197
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians: 59.9%
Date of the first session: 21 Dec 2016

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature: Nicolae-Liviu Dragnea (Male)
Date of birth: 1962
Political party: Social Democratic Party (PSD)
Date of election: 21 Dec 2016