Support for the governing Alliance for Justice and Truth (DA) increased

Support for the governing Alliance for Justice and Truth (DA) increased this month in Romania, according to a poll by CURS. 45 per cent of respondents would vote for the coalition of the National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Democratic Party (PD) in the next legislative election, up two points since July.

The Social Democratic Party (PSD) is second with 22 per cent, followed by the Party of Great Romania (PRM) with 13 per cent, the New Generation Party (PNG) with six per cent, and the Hungarian Democratic Alliance of Romania (UDMR) with five per cent. Support is lower for the Conservative Party (PC), the National Initiative Party (PIN), and the Democratic National Peasant Party (PNTCD).

The alliance won the November 2004 parliamentary election, securing 132 seats in the 332-member Chamber of Deputies. DA candidate Traian Basescu won the presidential run-off in December 2004 with 51.23 per cent of the vote, defeating PSD contender Adrian Nastase. Basescu later appointed fellow alliance member Calin Popescu Tariceanu as prime minister.

On Sept. 26, the European Union (EU) announced that Romania and Bulgaria would become members of the continental group in 2007, but urged both countries to closely monitor issues such as food safety, EU subsidies and justice. Romania was also asked to create an anti-corruption agency.

Basescu discussed the situation, saying, "The process of accession is ahead of us and any illusion that accession equals prosperity is a serious error. Prosperity does not come free, it is a result of hard work and efforts."