On 27 September, Romanians went to the polls to elect mayors and councillors in local elections. The elections – originally to be held in June but postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic – were also the first test for the political parties ahead of the general elections to be held on 6 December.

In all municipalities, ALDE Party member Union Save Romania (USR) ran in alliance with PLUS, led by President of the Renew Europe Group Dacian Cioloș. In some municipalities, USR and PLUS joined forces with the PNL in order to defeat the ruling socialist party (PSD).

The USRPLUS Alliance obtained historical results across the country winning in four municipalities and two sectors of the capital.

In Bucharest, the independent candidate Nicușor Dan (supported by USRPLUS and PNL) is set to become the new mayor taking control of the capital from the Social Democrats (PSD). In the General Council, the USRPLUS Alliance became the second force, overcoming PNL.

Renew Europe MEP Clotilde Armand is set to become mayor of Bucharest District 1.

Moreover, in Timisoara, Dominic Fritz will become mayor after the liberal USRPLUS gained the control of the city from the centre right PNL, which was in power for eight years.

In view of the results, USR leader Dan Barna said:

“We start tonight the revolution of good governance. This means that for the first time we go from pure and tough opposition to applying our programmes. First in the local, then, after parliamentary, nationwide.”

ALDE Party President Hans van Baalen congratulated USR and allies for the good result.

👏🇷🇴Congratulations @usr_romania and @PLUS_partidul with your good result at yesterday's local elections! It proves the need for liberalism not only on European and regional level, but also locally! @aldparty https://t.co/gUzs8fGoh8

— Hans van Baalen (@hansvanbaalen) September 28, 2020

Historic moment for USR PLUS in the local elections in Romania. This is a monumental step which has been 4 years in the making.

31 years since the Revolution, USR PLUS can now start a Good Governance revolution in Romania. 🇷🇴 https://t.co/IieoKYpoOj

— USRPLUS_EU (@USRPLUS_EU) September 27, 2020

Photo credit: Dan Barna / USR