What the newspapers say: June 16, 2008

All newspapers on Monday read about the leftist turn citizens in Bucharest took by electing former Social Democrat member turned independent candidate Sorin Oprescu as Bucharest mayor in the second round of elections this Sunday. More in the news, an incredible result in Voinesti, Iasi county in North Eastern Romania: incumbent mayor Neculai Ivascu was re-elected despite he died on Sunday morning. Elsewhere in the news, Romanian PM Tariceanu plans to turn Romania in one of the main European automobile producers.

All newspapers read about the result in the second round of June local elections: former Social Democrat turned independent candidate Sorin Oprescu was elected mayor of Bucharest in the detriment of Democrat Liberal (PD-L) Vasile Blaga. The result is somewhat unexpected since citizens in Bucharest are historically known to vote right wing candidates. It seems that a leftist turn was made yesterday.

Gandul reads that rumors were pointing Oprescu as winner even before exit polls were released. Nonetheless, Oprescu celebrated his victory together with friends and politicians. The newspaper reads that PSD members were present at the celebration.

After his designation as mayor of Bucharest, Oprescu declared that he would not disappoint his voters and that citizens proved that their vote was more important than interest groups. In the same vein, he declared that he fought a lot to win the elections.

Romania Libera reads that Oprescu received 54.3% of the cast votes according to exit polls, while Blaga only 45.7%. PD-L candidate Vasile Blaga declared that he assumed the loss and congratulated his opponent. Experts argue that Oprescu was favored by the low turnout.

However, research shows that over 40% of the voters have at least undergraduate studies while over 35% finished high-school and only 20% have under average studies.

Evenimentul Zilei reads that President Basescu visited the Democrat Liberal headquarters after official results were presented. He declared that he was satisfied with the votes received by Blaga in these elections.

Moreover, he added that he will encourage Democrat Liberals to continue their political battle against the Left. The newspaper wonders whether Blaga will resign from his position as secretary general of the party or not.

Elsewhere in the news, Cotidianul reads about a spectacular vote in Voinesti, NE Romania where the incumbent mayor, Neculai Ivascu was re-elected despite that he died earlier in the election day.

Officials declared that he suffered of a neurological problem. Romania’s Central Electoral Office decided to let elections continue even after the candidate died because the law does not regulate such a situation. However, an official decision needs to be taken in the coming days.

Last but not least, Evenimentul Zilei reads that PM Calin Popescu Tariceanu plans to transform Romania into an important European pillar in the car making industry. That is, if Mitsubishi or Daimler will invest in Romania.

More and more automobile giants declare their interest in investing in Romania. However, despite the enthusiasm local authorities portray, no official decision was taken. Mitsubishi, Peugeot or Daimler officials declared that their main interest is to find cheap labor and available land to build their factories.

Tariceanu declared that Romania needed to sustain its IT and automobile industry in order to become an important pillar at the European level.