| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Parlamentul României / Parliament of Romania |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name (generic / translated) |
Camera Deputatilor / Chamber of Deputies |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Senatul / Senate
|
| BACKGROUND |
| Dates of election / renewal (from/to) |
11 December 2016 |
| Purpose of elections |
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. |
Date of previous elections: 9 December 2012
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: Not applicable
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections: December 2020
Number of seats at stake: 329 (full renewal):
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 candidates: 4,250
Percentage of women candidates: Not available*
*A total of 6,476 candidates ran in the 2016 elections. They included 1,797 women, or 27.7%.
Number of parties contesting the election: 11
Number of parties winning seats: 6
Alternation of power: Not applicable*
*A technocrat government was formed before the elections.
Number of parties in government: 2
Names of parties in government: Social Democratic Party (PSD), Liberal-Democrat Alliance (ALDE)
Date of the first session of the new parliament: 21 December 2016
Name of the new Speaker: Mr. Nicolae-Liviu Dragnea (Social Democratic Party, PSD) |
| STATISTICS |
| Voter turnout |
| Round no 1 | 11 December 2016 |
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes |
18'403'044
7'323'368 (39.79%)
|
|
Notes
|
|
| Distribution of votes |
|
Round no 1
|
| Political Group |
Candidates |
Votes |
|
|
% |
|
|
| Social Democratic Party (PSD) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| National Liberal Party (PNL) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Save Romania Union (USR) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Liberal-Democrat Alliance (ALDE) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Popular Movement Party (PMP) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Members representing ethnic minorities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats |
|
Round no 1
|
| 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
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to sex |
Men
Women
Percent of women |
261
68
20.67%
|
| Distribution of seats according to age |
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to profession |
|
|
| Comments |
Sources:
Chamber of Deputies (19.12.2016)
http://parlamentare2016.bec.ro
http://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/doc/oee/oee-1678-en.pdf
http://www.euronews.com
http://www.voanews.com
https://seenews.com/
https://www.nineoclock.ro/ |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Last elections module
