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103-922: The alliance was founded in January 2011 by the National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Conservative Party (PC), when the PC moved away from its longstanding affiliation with the Social Democratic Party (PSD) breaking up the center-left Alliance PSD+PC . The protocol of the alliance however did not include the seat held by the Conservative Party in the European Parliament , as the MEP remained committed to

206-554: A grand coalition government known as the National Coalition for Romania ( CNR for short). Shortly afterwards, on 23 November 2021, former PNL president Ludovic Orban had officially resigned from the party along with 16 others PNL MPs. In December 2021, Orban officially founded his party which is called " Force of the Right " (or FD for short). In early 2022, incumbent PNL spokesman Ionuț-Marian Stroe announced that

309-674: A grand coalition government between themselves and the UDMR/RMDSZ (known as the National Coalition for Romania or CNR for short), thereby leading to the formation of the Ciucă cabinet led by Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă (current leader of the PNL since April 2022 onwards). In mid June 2023, Ciucă resigned as part of the coalition protocol previously agreed between the PNL and PSD and let Marcel Ciolacu (current PSD leader) become

412-779: A catastrophe for both Romania and the PNL". In stark contrast to Orban's statement, Iohannis declared that he still endorses Cîțu and that he has no reasons whatsoever for resigning or for being ousted. Nonetheless, in late September 2021, DNA officially started the criminal investigation in Florin Cîțu's case on the grounds of abuse of office and incitement to abuse of office as prime minister. Several noteworthy Romanian journalists such as Cristian Tudor Popescu, Lucian Mîndruță, and Ramona Ursu have also criticized Cîțu and his actions as prime minister and have described themselves totally revolted with respect to why would he still be left to serve as prime minister. All throughout this period of time,

515-596: A change of leadership that saw Ionescu-Quintus as the new party leader elected in 1995, the PNL contested the 1996 general election once again as part of the CDR. The 1996 general elections represented the first peaceful transition of power in post-1989 Romania, with the PNL, PNȚCD, Democratic Party (PD), and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR/RMDSZ) forming a grand coalition that pushed

618-500: A detailed declaration of private interests, listing their memberships of company boards, associations, and public bodies (including those held during the three years prior to their election). They must also publish on-line all meetings that they have had with lobbyists and representatives of third country governments. They may not accept gifts, other than courtesy gifts valued at less than €150. They must declare all sources of outside income if their total outside income exceeds €5000. Under

721-513: A government in Romania's post-1989 history. Nevertheless, Cîțu still served as acting /ad interim prime minister until a new government will be validated by vote in the Parliament and then subsequently sworn in (i.e. for at least one week from October 5 until still incumbent President Klaus Iohannis will call for party consultations). In the meantime, former PNL president Valeriu Stoica heavily criticized Iohannis for allowing "mediocre people at

824-670: A month in Strasbourg was imposed on Parliament by the member state governments at the 1992 European Council meeting in Edinburgh. The total cost of the European Parliament is approximately €2.247 billion per year according to its 2023 budget, with the cost of translation and interpretation, and the cost of its buildings in two main locations, being significant extra burdens not faced by national parliaments. Until 2009, MEPs were paid (by their own Member State) exactly

927-475: A monthly pre-tax salary set at 38.5 percent of that of a judge at the European Court of Justice . As of July 1, 2019, the monthly salary is of €8,932.86 , or just over €107,000 per year. MEPs also receive a general expenditure allowance of €4,563 per month. The single statute represented a pay cut for MEPs from some member states (e.g. Italy, Germany and Austria), a rise for others (particularly

1030-571: A national of that state. The following citizens have been elected in a state other than their native country; It is conventional for countries acceding to the European Union to send a number of observers to Parliament in advance. The number of observers and their method of appointment (usually by national parliaments) is laid down in the joining countries' Treaties of Accession. Observers may attend debates and take part by invitation, but they may not vote or exercise other official duties. When

1133-483: A negative record for him. Given the matter, Cîțu resorted to buying Facebook likes from countries such as Vietnam , the ones from the ex- Soviet Union and from the Arab world , partly according to an analysis by former Health minister Vlad Voiculescu of Save Romania Union (USR). In early November 2021, journalist Lucian Mîndruță heavily criticized Iohannis and PNL for making an alliance with PSD, also stating that PSD

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1236-465: A new party which was called PNL-C ( Romanian : Partidul Național Liberal-Câmpeanu ). Therefore, the factions which deflected from the main PNL and aligned themselves with the CDR were PNL-CD (led by Niculae Cerveni), PNL-AT, and PL '93 . Other minor liberal political parties such as PAC and UFD (which later merged into the main PNL) were also part of the CDR throughout the late 1990s. Nevertheless, after

1339-594: A number of individual powers and rights within the Parliament: Every month except August the Parliament meets in Strasbourg for a four-day plenary session. For the rest of the time, it is based in Brussels, where some six supplementary plenary sessions are held for two days each, and where the Parliament's committees, political groups, and other organs also mainly meet. The obligation to spend one week

1442-567: A partnership with Iohannis. Furthermore, he also stated that he resigns from the office of the President of the Chamber of Deputies . The Romanian press had also cited Cîțu's triumph as a Pyrrhic victory given the fact that, on the one hand, PSD announced that they will vote the no confidence motion initiated by USR PLUS and AUR and, on the other hand, USR PLUS also stated that they will no longer want to govern under Cîțu. On 26 September 2021,

1545-509: A possible, hypothetical absorption of ALDE afterwards (paradoxically enough, thereby subsequently producing the return of Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu in the party he had previously left in 2014), just after the exclusion of Ludovic Orban from the party on 12 November 2021, who stated that "he is [now] free to build a new political force". At an official level however, Cristian Diaconescu later stated that there are indeed negotiations between

1648-601: A psychiatric consultation for Cîțu, in reaction to the Instagram videoclip. In addition, it was also in 2021 that, at local political level, the PNL lost other former allies, more specifically the PMP, who veered towards PSD and PRO Romania, establishing new political alliances in some counties (most notably Caraș-Severin ) with the two centre-left political parties. In the meantime, former deputy prime minister Dan Barna said that "if USR PLUS will remain in opposition, it will win

1751-701: A separate liberal party to run for president, stating opposition to the upcoming merger with the PDL. The breakaway party, called the Liberal Reformist Party (PLR), was founded by Popescu-Tăriceanu on 3 July 2014. On 17 July 2014, it was announced that the future merger of the PNL and PDL would retain the National Liberal Party name, while being situated in the PDL's existing headquarters in Bucharest, and would be legally registered by

1854-537: A series of new laws in order to generate more value. It also advocates a decentralization of Romania's political structure, with greater autonomy given to the eight development regions . However, under Ciucă's rule, the party also shifted more from a liberal-oriented economy towards economic patriotism . Opposition leader Cătălin Drulă , the incumbent president of the Save Romania Union (USR), accused

1957-502: A single national constituency; other states apportion seats to sub-national regions for election. There may also be non-voting observers when a new country is seeking membership of the European Union . From 1 January 2007, when Romania and Bulgaria joined the EU, there were 785 MEPs, but their number was reduced to 736 at the elections in 2009. With effect from the elections held in May 2014

2060-534: A study exploring the results of the election in terms of gender balance. EU institutions have focused on how to achieve a better gender balance (at least 40 per cent) or gender parity (50 per cent) in the next Parliament, and for other high-level posts in other institutions. In the 2019 elections 308 female MEPs were elected (41 per cent). Sweden elected the highest percentage of female MEPs: 55 per cent. Overall, thirteen countries elected 45 to 55 per cent female MEPs, with seven countries reaching exactly 50 per cent. On

2163-815: A third of MEPs have previously held national parliamentary mandates, and over 10 per cent have ministerial experience at a national level. There are usually a number of former prime ministers and former members of the European Commission . Many other MEPs have held office at a regional or local level in their home states. Current MEPs also include former judges, trade union leaders, media personalities, actors, soldiers, singers, athletes, and political activists. Many outgoing MEPs move into other political office. Several presidents, prime ministers or deputy prime ministers of member states are former MEPs, including former Presidents of France Nicolas Sarkozy , Francois Hollande , Jacques Chirac and Francois Mitterrand ,

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2266-436: Is free to choose its own system, subject to three restrictions: The allocation of seats to each member state is based on the principle of degressive proportionality , so that, while the size of the population of each nation is taken into account, smaller states elect more MEPs than would be strictly justified by their populations alone. As the number of MEPs granted to each member state has arisen from treaty negotiations, there

2369-417: Is no precise formula for the apportionment of seats. No change in this configuration can occur without the unanimous consent of all national governments. The European Parliament has a high turnover of members compared to some national parliaments. After every recent election, just over half of elected members had not been members in the previous parliament. Elmar Brok served the longest continuous term from

2472-591: Is prohibited as of 2009. In the 2004–2009 Parliament, a small number of members still held a dual mandate. Ian Paisley and John Hume once held triple mandates as MEP, Member of Parliament in the House of Commons , and Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly simultaneously. Women are generally under-represented in politics and public life in the EU, as well as in national parliaments, governments and local assemblies. The percentage of women in

2575-460: Is the only political party in post-1989 Romania which acceded to governance by "walking on corpses", a reference to the dreadful demographic effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Romania . In mid-early November 2021, several noteworthy political sources hinted a very probable merger of PMP with PNL sometime in the near future (although previous PMP president Cristian Diaconescu publicly dismissed this scenario on his Facebook page) and even

2678-428: The 2014 European Parliament election 11 countries of 28 reached this goal in their own quota of elected candidates. While in nine EU countries there were mechanisms in place to facilitate female representation, only in four of these countries did women exceeded 40 per cent of elected candidates. On the other hand, in eight countries this goal was reached despite the absence of such systems. The FEMM Committee requested

2781-522: The 2020 local elections , the PNL became the first political party in Transylvania, Banat, and Bukovina , establishing new political alliances at national level with, most notably, USR PLUS shortly thereafter. Moreover, as of mid 2023, the PNL also holds the largest amount of incumbent county councillors and local councillors nationwide, making it, in these regards, the most influential political party in Romania at local level. Nonetheless, concerning

2884-527: The COVID-19 pandemic as well as its affiliated recession . The PNL ran in several electoral alliances with the 2020 USR-PLUS Alliance for the 2020 Romanian local elections , winning the mayor of Bucharest (along with several of the capital's sectors) as well as many other municipalities throughout the countryside. Shortly thereafter, the PNL decided to form local alliances with, most notably, USR PLUS, PMP, and FDGR/DFDR (as well as with two local branches of

2987-630: The Conservative Party (PC). The PNL subsequently exited the USL on 25 February 2014, disbanding the alliance and returning to opposition. On 26 May 2014, following the 2014 European elections , then PNL party president Crin Antonescu announced he was seeking membership within the European People's Party (EPP). At the beginning of the 8th European Parliament , 5 of the PNL MEPs sat with

3090-856: The EPP Group , and 1 with the ALDE Group , who later became an independent MEP within ALDE. In late May 2014, the party agreed to a future merger with the Democratic Liberal Party (PDL), with the two parties main short-time goal being to submit a joint candidate for the upcoming presidential election. The PNL-PDL presidential candidate was agreed to run under an electoral banner called the Christian Liberal Alliance (ACL). On 27 June 2014, former PNL chairman Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu announced his intention to found

3193-415: The European People's Party (EPP) and especially under Cîțu and Ciucă's leadership, the party became more conservative , Radio Free Europe calling it "liberal only in the name". PNL opposes same-sex marriage as well as civil unions . In economic regards, it deems significant the fact that taxes must be lowered and that the private sector of the national economy must be expanded and helped by

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3296-752: The European People's Party (EPP), and subsequently merged with the Democratic Liberal Party (PDL). The party was also a member of the Liberal International (LI) before switching to Centrist Democrat International (CDI). Currently, it is the second-largest party in the Romanian Parliament , with 79 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 36 in the Senate , behind the Social Democratic Party (PSD). Additionally,

3399-470: The European Union in the world terms of democracy, even behind Viktor Orbán's Hungary . Furthermore, since both Cîțu and Ciucă's leaderships, more and more PNL MPs and local politicians had departed from the party, some of which founded splinter political parties in the meantime. The party has also lost at least several electoral points for the forthcoming electoral year of 2024 (most notably for

3502-484: The First Tăriceanu Cabinet between 2006 and 2007, would also announce his candidacy at a later point during 2021 but the latter eventually declined it). Furthermore, this new congress will also determine the leadership of PNL at each and every level within the party nationwide. Nonetheless, up until the date of the congress, Orban will still remain party president. At the same time, the struggle for power within

3605-693: The National Union for the Progress of Romania (UNPR), the latter two parts of the Centre-Left Alliance (ACS). As of November 2013, the ACD no longer functions as the constituent parties consensually decided to de facto break their respective union citing technical irregularities in the territorial organizations and opposing stands of both party leaders regarding current governmental and political affairs. However, PNL and PC remain part of

3708-512: The Revolution of 1989 which culminated in the fall of communism in Romania , it claims the legacy of the major political party of the same name , active between 1875 and 1947 in the Kingdom of Romania ( Romanian : Regatul României ). Based on this historical legacy, it often presents itself as the first formally constituted political party in the country and the oldest of its kind from

3811-493: The S&;D Group . The alliance drew its inspiration for branding and electoral representation from the National Liberal Party (PNL), incorporating their colors and electoral signage. Moreover, to fortify its identity, the alliance strategically amalgamated elements from the Conservative Party (PC) by integrating its acronym into the coalition's logo. This deliberate fusion aimed to project a unified and strengthened front, leveraging

3914-510: The next Romanian parliamentary election ) according to most opinion polls. The party officially adheres to the doctrine of liberalism in the form of conservative liberalism and liberal conservatism , advocating both economic and social liberalization. The party also takes a pro-European stance. In recent years, it has focused more on economic liberalism and a shift to a more catch all platform. The National Liberal Party (PNL) also advocates for conservative initiatives and policies and

4017-573: The Democrat Liberals (PDL) and the Social Democratic Party (PSD), obtained roughly 70% together. At the 2009 presidential election , the National Liberal Party's then newly elected leader, Crin Antonescu , finished third in the first round and the party would still find itself in parliamentary opposition for the three next years to come up until the accession of the Social Liberal Union (USL) to governance in mid 2012. At

4120-472: The EU parliament has increased from 15.2 per cent after the first European Parliament election in 1979 to 41 per cent after 2019 European Parliament election . To reach gender parity, women should hold 50 per cent of seats and positions of power. However, according to the goal set by the European Institute for Gender Equality , a ratio between 40 and 60 per cent is considered acceptable. After

4223-526: The National Liberal Party acceded to governance under a minority stand-alone government led by Orban which was voted twice by the Parliament (under, most notably, a confidence and supply agreement with USR and PMP as well as most ethnic minority parties , including most importantly the FDGR/DFDR ). At national level, the greatest two challenges that the Orban cabinet tried to monitor, control, and solve were

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4326-560: The PD in order to form the Justice and Truth Alliance (DA) so as to compete in the 2004 general election as an alternative to the then ruling PSD (formerly PDSR) government. The alliance managed to finish second by popular vote in the Parliament , subsequently form a centre-right cabinet, and also win the presidency during the same year. Until April 2007, the PNL was the largest member of

4429-507: The PDSR (formerly the FSN and FDSN ) in opposition for the period 1996–2000. Furthermore, the presidency was also won by the CDR's common candidate, more specifically Emil Constantinescu , who received endorsement on behalf of all of the alliance's constituent parties (including the PNL political groups therein). Between 1996 and 2000, because of the lack of political coherence within the parties of

4532-522: The PNL became the third largest party in the Parliament of Romania and its then re-founding leader, Radu Câmpeanu, finished second in the same year's presidential elections, with 10.6% of the cast votes, behind Ion Iliescu . In December 1990, the Socialist Liberal Party (PSL) led by Niculae Cerveni established an alliance with the PNL and the latter became vice-president of the PNL led by Câmpeanu at that time. Shortly afterwards, at

4635-524: The PNL between Cîțu and Orban (each one along with their respective teams of supporters) considerably bogged down the pace of reforms applied by the government. During early September 2021, several weeks prior to the new congress of the party, USR-PLUS decided to exit the Cîțu Cabinet in protest to Cîțu 's dismissal of the Minister of Justice; the initial coalition consisting of three centre-right parties

4738-524: The PNL has just started negotiations for a very probable near future merger with ALDE, but without former ALDE president Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu , who is no longer even a member of the latter party. In addition, it was confirmed that PNL is also currently negotiating with PMP for a future merger as well. On 2 April 2022, Florin Cîțu resigned from the position of PNL president and prior to this decision Dan Vîlceanu also announced his resignation as secretary-general of

4841-426: The PNL in the perspective of the next Romanian legislative elections which are most likely going to take place in 2024. In the meantime, PSD initiated its own motion of no confidence which is scheduled to be debated on 30 September and voted on 5 October. In addition, former party president Valeriu Stoica accused the recent political behaviour of PNL in the following manner: "PNL acts like PSD", further stating that

4944-538: The PNL managed to finish second, behind the PSD, and consequently in continuous opposition until 2019 when it regained executive power. Regarding the 2019 presidential election , the party previously announced its formal endorsement for a second term of incumbent state president Klaus Iohannis in March 2018 along with an official designation of Ludovic Orban , former party president, for the position of Prime Minister should

5047-448: The PNL win the 2020 legislative elections . In June 2018, at an open air press conference in his native Sibiu, Iohannis publicly announced his intention to run for a second presidential term. The year 2019 saw two minor parties adhering to the PNL, namely the PND (led by Daniel Fenechiu ) and PACT (led by Sebastian Burduja ), thereby increasing its total number of members. In late 2019,

5150-410: The PNL, as the party did not manage to surpass the needed electoral threshold for parliamentary presence and as such was forced to enter extra-parliamentary opposition for the period 1992–1996. Furthermore, this political decision also resulted in several splinter factions leaving the main party, with some PNL deflecting groups opting to remain within the CDR while others still endorsing Câmpeanu's side in

5253-531: The PNȚCD and UDMR/RMDSZ in Hunedoara County ). After the 2020 Romanian legislative election , the party agreed to form a coalition government alongside USR PLUS and UDMR/RMDSZ in order to reportedly provide a stable governance for the next 4 years in Romania. Furthermore, incumbent party president Ludovic Orban decided to step down as prime minister in early December 2020, letting Nicolae Ciucă acting until

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5356-556: The PSD in Ialomița . On 25 September 2021, at the PNL congress held at Romexpo in Bucharest, Florin Cîțu was elected the 10th post-1989 president of the PNL with 2,878 votes out of 4,848 total delegates, being congratulated, most notably, by congress organiser Theodor Stolojan , amidst significant heavy fraud allegations claimed, most importantly, by previous PNL president Ludovic Orban and subsequently by Adrian Veștea. Nonetheless, Orban congratulated Cîțu but also said that he no longer has

5459-444: The Parliament (260 for in counterpart to 186 against). In the meantime, it has been announced that a new party congress will take place on 25 September 2021 with 5,000 delegates. At the forthcoming congress, incumbent party president Ludovic Orban will face incumbent Prime Minister Florin Cîțu for the leadership of the party during the upcoming years (although it has been rumoured that Dan Motreanu , former Minister for Agriculture in

5562-571: The UDMR/RMDSZ after they boycotted the no confidence motion initiated by the USR PLUS and AUR, with the help of both PSD and UDMR/RMDSZ parliamentary groups. In the meantime, Cîțu posted a video portraying himself as Superman on Instagram . In response, the Romanian internet community made a video in which he was portrayed as the psychopathic supervillain Joker . Moreover, Ludovic Orban hinted

5665-538: The approval of PNDL 3 (overtaking, in this regard, even convicted former PSD leader Liviu Dragnea ) in the prospect of bribing PNL mayors (referred to as "local barons" in a press report by USR PLUS) to side with him for the then upcoming party congress which was held on 25 September 2021. In response, Cîțu stated: "only this [three-party] coalition is feasible for Romania. It's that political setup that can handle European Union 's recovery plan, our local development, and make use of EU money," after an emergency meeting of

5768-408: The communities, means violating the mandate given to you by the parliament through the governing programme.", referring to a 50 billion lei ($ 12 billion) allegedly local development financing scheme aimed at modernizing decrepit infrastructure in the countryside and the plan which needed the justice ministry's seal of approval. Eventually, the PNL was helped to maintain a minority cabinet along with

5871-404: The countries then become full member states, these observers become full MEPs for the interim period between accession and the next European elections. From 26 September 2005 to 31 December 2006, Bulgaria had 18 observers in Parliament and Romania 35. These were selected from government and opposition parties as agreed by the countries' national parliaments. Following accession on 1 January 2007,

5974-455: The delegations of the two parties for a "common political project". Shortly afterwards, incumbent party president Cîțu stated, in the context of the ongoing negotiations with the PSD, that "it is a major compromise that PNL does" (i.e. to make a government with PSD). In stark contrast, former PNL president Orban stated that "a monster is being built" (in reference to the subsequent hypothetical longtime alliance between PSD and PNL) and that he has

6077-493: The drop, Malta still elected 50 per cent women in 2019. Cyprus dropped from 17 per cent in 2014 to zero women this year, while Estonia dropped from 50 to 33 per cent. Hungary , Lithuania and Luxembourg made the greatest gains (19, 18 and 17 percentage points respectively) when we compare 2019 with 2014, followed by Slovenia and Latvia , both increasing their percentage of women MEPs by 13 points. Luxembourg, Slovenia and Latvia all elected 50 per cent female MEPs. As of 2019 ,

6180-513: The electorate of the right [in 2024]". Additionally, Marcel Ciolacu , the incumbent president of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and thereby the leader of the then largest opposition party, stated on 20 September 2021 that PSD will vote for the no confidence motion initiated by the USR PLUS and AUR. In the meantime, PNL president Ludovic Orban clearly stated that "Cîțu could only remain Prime Minister with PSD's endorsement which would be

6283-441: The end of 2014. On 26 July 2014, a joint party congress of the PNL and PDL approved the merger. In the first round of the 2014 presidential election on 2 November 2014, ACL presidential candidate Klaus Iohannis , PNL party president and Mayor of Sibiu was the runner-up. Iohannis won the runoff election held on 16 November 2014 with 54.5% of the total number of votes. At the 2016 local elections and legislative elections ,

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6386-420: The established symbols and recognition associated with both political entities. Such a collaborative branding initiative sought to resonate with a broader spectrum of voters while reinforcing the distinctive values and principles each party represented within the alliance. In 2011, the alliance was part of the Social Liberal Union (USL) together with the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and, since September 2012,

6489-518: The family of European liberal parties as well. Until 2014, the PNL was a member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE). The party statutes adopted in June 2014 dropped any reference to international affiliation, consequently most of its MEPs joined the European People's Party Group (EPP) in the European Parliament . On 12 September 2014, it was admitted as a full member of

6592-542: The first elections in 1980 until 2019 (39 years). MEPs organise themselves into cross-national political groups , except for a few non-attached members known as Non-Inscrits who choose not to join a Group (or no Group wants them). The two largest groups are the European People's Party Group (EPP Group) and the Socialists & Democrats (S&D). These two groups have dominated the Parliament for much of its life, continuously holding between 40 and 70 per cent of

6695-510: The first military leader in the history of the party. Additionally, Ciucă's primary objective as PNL president was to maintain the cohesion of the CNR grand coalition until the end of his term as prime minister which took place in mid June 2023. Afterwards, the PNL maintained the CNR grand coalition only with PSD, removing UDMR/RMDSZ from government, but retaining the confidence and supply agreement with

6798-487: The former Deputy PM of the United Kingdom Nick Clegg , current Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni , Danish former Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt , and Belgian former PM Elio Di Rupo . A dual mandate, in which an individual is a member of both their national parliament and the European Parliament , was officially discouraged by a growing number of political parties and member states, and

6901-429: The governing CDR coalition and the multiple changes of cabinets that followed throughout this entire period of time, the PNL decided once more to withdraw from the alliance just before the 2000 general election and, consequently, to compete alone instead. This time, the party managed to gain parliamentary presence but failed to form another centre-right government, finishing fourth in the legislative elections and third in

7004-422: The governing Justice and Truth Alliance (DA), which enjoyed a parliamentary majority due to an alliance between the PNL, PD, the Conservative Party (PC), and the UDMR/RMDSZ. In April 2007, then PNL Prime Minister Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu , who was also the party president, formed a minority government solely with the UDMR/RMDSZ and the remainder PD ministers were reshuffled. This caused internal opposition within

7107-428: The governments of member states from among those already sitting in their own national parliaments. Since 1979, however, MEPs have been elected by direct universal suffrage every five years. Each member state establishes its own method for electing MEPs – and in some states this has changed over time – but the system chosen must be a form of proportional representation . Some member states elect their MEPs to represent

7210-463: The heir of the Romanian Communist Party (PCR). However, prior to the 1992 general elections , Câmpeanu decided to withdraw the party from the CDR electoral alliance and instead compete as a stand-alone political force. One of the main reasons for doing so was Câmpeanu's reluctance for the PNL to run on common lists with the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR/RMDSZ). This had ultimately proven to be an eventual major strategic error for

7313-451: The incumbent Prime Minister of Romania. In the meantime, the UDMR/RMDSZ was also taken out of government and thereby rejected from the composition of the current Ciolacu Cabinet in which PNL is still the second party. Furthermore, the share of governmental power between the PSD and PNL is even between the two constituent political parties of the incumbent Ciolacu Cabinet (or the second CNR cabinet). The National Liberal Party of Romania (PNL)

7416-484: The larger USL alliance, together with the ACS member parties, PSD and UNPR. Notes : USL was an alliance of two smaller alliances: Centre Left Alliance (ACS) and Centre Right Alliance (ACD). Centre Left Alliance (ACS) members: PSD (58 senators and 149 deputies) and UNPR (5 senators and 10 deputies). Centre Right Alliance members: PNL (51 senators and 101 deputies) and PC (8 senators and 13 deputies). ALDE

7519-467: The leadership of the party" since 2014 onwards. He previously also stated that the PNL would demonstrate gross political immaturity if they will still propose Cîțu as prime minister at subsequent party consultations scheduled to take place at the Cotroceni Palace . At the same time, he mentioned that Iohannis should have that the political status quo imposed Cîțu's resignation, avoiding as such

7622-539: The low-paid eastern European members) and status quo for those from the United Kingdom, until January 2020 (depending on the euro-pound exchange rate). The much-criticised expenses arrangements were also partially reformed. Members declare their financial interests in order to prevent any conflicts of interest. These declarations are published in a register and are available on the Internet. They must also make

7725-591: The main request and most notably alongside the Christian Democratic National Peasants' Party (PNȚCD), but to a lesser extent also with other smaller center-right parties and NGOs, the PNL managed to form the Romanian Democratic Convention (CDR) in an effort to assemble a stronger collective opposition and alternative governing body to then ruling National Salvation Front (FSN), which was, in many ways,

7828-412: The motion of no confidence. On 11 October, still incumbent President Klaus Iohannis nominated USR leader and former prime minister Dacian Cioloș to form a new government. Cioloș was subsequently rejected by the parliament and Iohannis appointed previous acting PM Nicolae Ciucă instead on 21 October 2021. In late October, relatively shortly after his dismissal, Cîțu's approval rate hit 7% nationwide,

7931-470: The new coalition received the confidence vote in the Parliament after the 2020 legislative elections concluded with concrete, positive results on behalf of a future center-right government. Subsequently, the newly proposed prime minister on behalf of the PNL was Florin Cîțu , who previously served as the Minister of Public Finance in both Orban cabinets between 2019 and 2020. Therefore, Cîțu took office on 23 December 2020, after an overwhelming confidence vote in

8034-440: The number had risen to 751. This has been reduced to 705 members after the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union in January 2020, with each member state now having at least six and at most 96 MEPs. From the 2024 elections, there will be 720 members. Elections are held once every five years, on the basis of universal suffrage . There is no uniform voting system for the election of MEPs; rather, each member state

8137-452: The obligation to the people who voted for PNL to represent them, as such siding with USR in the process. Subsequently, Diaconescu totally dismissed the possibility of a hypothetical merger between PMP and PNL during his term as PMP president, instead expecting a future invitation to governance, even though PMP is currently extra-parliamentary. On 22 November 2021, Nicolae Ciucă was officially designated PM by Klaus Iohannis, being in charge of

8240-567: The observers became MEPs (with some personnel changes). Similarly, Croatia had 12 observer members from 17 April 2012, appointed by the Croatian parliament in preparation for its accession in 2013. [REDACTED]  This article incorporates text from a free content work. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Text taken from How gender balanced will the next European Parliament be?​ , Gina Pavone/OBC Transeuropa, EDJNet. [REDACTED]  This article incorporates text from

8343-469: The other hand, Cyprus has elected zero women, and Slovakia elected only 15 percent. Other Eastern European countries, namely Romania , Greece , Lithuania and Bulgaria , all elected fewer than 30 per cent female MEPs. Eight member states elected a lower number of women in 2019 than in 2014. Malta , Cyprus and Estonia lost the most female representation in the EU parliament, dropping by 17 percentage points, while Slovakia dropped by 16. However, despite

8446-530: The party and led to the scission of a splinter group which turned into a political party under Theodor Stolojan , more specifically the Liberal Democratic Party (PLD), eventually merging with the PD to form the Democratic Liberal Party (PDL). After the 2008 legislative election , the party placed third and entered official opposition, winning 19.74% seats in the Parliament, while the new grand coalition, formed by their former enlarged ally,

8549-512: The party currently has the largest number of MEPs in the European Parliament on behalf of Romania (more specifically 10 out of 33). At local political level, the PNL has been very closely associated with either the Democratic Forum of Germans in Romania (FDGR/DFDR), more specifically in parts of Banat and Transylvania , or, formerly, with the Christian Democratic National Peasants' Party (PNȚCD), in southern Romania. After it won

8652-421: The party is operating on a catch all ideology and consistent party switching as well as currently defying and breaching the constitution. On 5 October 2021, the Cîțu cabinet was ousted by an overwhelming vote on behalf of the PSD, AUR, and USR parliamentary groups at the no confidence motion debated and voted during that day. The no confidence motion was voted by 281 MPs, the largest number of votes to dismiss

8755-612: The party of being statist . According to the statute, the leading organs of the party are the following: Member of the European Parliament A member of the European Parliament ( MEP ) is a person who has been elected to serve as a popular representative in the European Parliament . When the European Parliament (then known as the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community ) first met in 1952, its members were directly appointed by

8858-621: The party's new leadership team under Cîțu was voted, validated, and consequently established as well. Shortly after the congress, on 27 September, former president Ludovic Orban stated that Cîțu became persona non grata for a huge number of Romanian citizens and that he doesn't understand he will no longer be PM for too long, only with the mercy of PSD. In the meantime, the PNRR (part of the Next Generation EU package and short for Romanian : Planul Național de Redresare și Reziliență )

8961-498: The party. Gheorghe Flutur , president of the Suceava County council, became acting /ad interim president of the PNL on 2 April 2022 until a new congress was held on 10 April 2022. At an extraordinary party congress held on 10 April 2022, Nicolae Ciucă was elected the 11th post-1989 president of the PNL with 1,060 valid votes out of 1,120 total ones (60 were nullified and 159 were abstentions). Thus, Nicolae Ciucă became

9064-499: The party. He also stated that "this is my message for the coalition talks later today, we have all promised Romania's investments". Additionally, in response to sacking the Justice Minister, Cîțu mentioned in a late night news briefing the following: "I will not accept ministers in the Romanian government who oppose the modernisation of Romania. Blocking the activity of the government only because you do not agree to develop

9167-574: The political crisis had severe results in the economy of the country, with the euro rising consistently above the leu , as reported by the National Bank of Romania (BNR) in the beginning of the autumn of 2021. Furthermore, during late September 2021, the USD had also risen consistently above the RON, as the political crisis kept on lingering. In addition, the finance department of Bloomberg also noted

9270-613: The political group of the national minorities in the Parliament, thereby still having a solid majority needed for endorsing the incumbent Ciolacu Cabinet . In terms of external politics, the CNR government led by former prime minister Nicolae Ciucă expressed serious concern over the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War . Internally, the PNL chose their new secretary-general on 27 May 2022, when the party's national council re-united to vote for this position in front of 1,000 national delegates. Under Ciucă's premiership, Romania experienced democratic backsliding , with The Economist ranking it last in

9373-408: The presidential election. However, a splinter group founded by Dan Amedeo Lăzărescu and led by Decebal Traian Remeș which was called PNL-T ( Romanian : PNL Tradițional ) decided to remain within CDR 2000 and contest that year's general election by endorsing Mugur Isărescu as presidential candidate. Therefore, during the mid 2000s (more specifically starting in 2003), the PNL joined forces with

9476-433: The protocol on the privileges and immunities of the European Union , MEPs in their home state receive the same immunities as their own national parliamentarians. In other member states, MEPs are immune from detention and from legal proceedings, except when caught in the act of committing an offense. This immunity may be waived by application to the European Parliament by the authorities of the member state in question. Around

9579-406: The record inflation levels which rose to the highest charting positions in the last three years in Romania in early September 2021. As of 12 September 2021, most of the initial PNL-USR PLUS local alliances established after the 2020 local elections have been disbanded, with the USR PLUS entering official opposition at all local levels towards the PNL. The PNL also has a local governing alliance with

9682-535: The same salary as a member of the lower House of their own national parliament. As a result, there was a wide range of salaries in the European Parliament. In 2002, Italian MEPs earned €130,000, while Spanish MEPs earned less than a quarter of that at €32,000. However, in July 2005, the Council agreed to a single statute for all MEPs, following a proposal by the Parliament. Thus, since the 2009 elections, all MEPs receive

9785-455: The same time, Klaus Iohannis, at that time solely FDGR/DFDR president, was nominated twice by the PNL (along with their most sturdy and powerful allies, the PSD and the PC) in 2009, but was rejected by then state president Traian Băsescu . On 5 February 2011, the PNL formed the Social Liberal Union (USL) political alliance with the PSD, the National Union for the Progress of Romania (UNPR), and

9888-641: The seats together. No single group has ever held a majority in Parliament. As a result of being broad alliances of national parties, European groups parties are decentralised and hence have more in common with parties in federal states like Germany or the United States than unitary states like the majority of the EU states. Although, the European groups, between 2004 and 2009, were actually more cohesive than their US counterparts. Aside from working through their groups, individual members are also guaranteed

9991-735: The state in moral and religious issues, as well as the privatization and denationalization of the economy, a trend which is currently taking place quite rapidly in Romania, as in other post-communist economies in Central and Eastern Europe . Unlike its Western counterparts, the party is more nationalist and traditionalist on social issues, such as LGBT rights . The party has factions of adherence to Christian democracy , national liberalism , ethnic nationalism , neoliberalism , and social conservatism . The party has also been described as populist , while former president Florin Cîțu rejects this qualification. However, after joining

10094-572: The total amount of mayors, the PNL comes second behind the PSD. During late 2021, the PNL broke the alliance with USR PLUS (now simply legally known as USR ) and continued under former party president Cîțu a minority government alongside the Hungarian minority -oriented UDMR/RMDSZ (with the support of President Klaus Iohannis ), consequently causing the three month-long 2021 Romanian political crisis , until successfully negotiating with their historical nominal adversaries PSD in early November 2021

10197-418: The youngest MEP is Kira Marie Peter-Hansen of Denmark, who was 21 at the start of the July 2019 session, and is also the youngest person ever elected to the European Parliament. The oldest MEP ever was Manolis Glezos who was 92 when elected in 2014. European citizens are eligible for election in the member state where they reside (subject to the residence requirements of that state); they do not have to be

10300-482: Was created in June 2015 from a merger of PLR (a splinter of PNL ) and PC . National Liberal Party (Romania) The National Liberal Party ( Romanian : Partidul Național Liberal , PNL ) is a Christian democratic and socially conservative political party in Romania (and the second largest overall political party in the country as of late 2024). Re-founded in mid January 1990, shortly after

10403-406: Was re-founded in January 1990, a few days after the end of the violent Romanian Revolution . During the early 1990s, the party primarily revolved around the presidencies of Radu Câmpeanu and Mircea Ionescu-Quintus , both former members of the historical PNL and liberal youth leaders during the interwar period as well as during and shortly after World War II . At the 1990 general elections ,

10506-446: Was signed and adopted in Bucharest on the occasion of Ursula von der Leyen 's visit, mandated by the European Commission . The Romanian PNRR is the 5th Next Generation EU plan adopted by volume of funds and most of the work and successful negotiations on it were carried out by USR PLUS ministers, in particular Cristian Ghinea . Most opinion polls conducted throughout 2021 registered a significant drop of trust both in Cîțu as PM and in

10609-460: Was thereby disbanded and reduced to two, with the USR-PLUS officially entering opposition and even publicly declaring that they will endorse any motion of no confidence against Cîțu in the future, deeming him responsible for creating a major governmental crisis in the process. Moreover, according to USR PLUS, Cîțu is also responsible for legalizing massive theft from public procurement money with

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