In turn, the National Liberal Party, which heads the current minority government, gained 25.11% of the vote.
The Union for the Salvation of Romania, which won 14.5% of the vote, is also in parliament. The Alliance for Romanian Unity (8.7%) and the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania with 6% have also overcome the 5% barrier.
According to the CEC, the average turnout in the country on Sunday was 31.8%, that is, almost 5.8 mln of the more than 18 mln Romanians entered in the electoral register exercised their right to vote.
Romania's opposition Social Democrats (PSD) have taken a narrow lead over the governing National Liberal Party (NLP) after Sunday's parliamentary elections.
ReplyDeleteWith 80% of ballots counted, the PSD had 30% of the vote to the NLP's 25%.
However, it is unlikely that the Social Democrats will take charge, as Prime Minister Ludovic Orban's party has more potential allies.
Several smaller parties will hold the balance of power, which appears to favour a Liberal-led coalition.
Turnout was a record low of 33%. Romania is one the poorest countries in the EU and millions of its citizens have moved abroad in recent years in search of better lives - in particular to western EU member states.
The Liberals back closer EU integration, while the Social Democrats are more nationalist and populist.