
Romania

Romania performs in the mid-range in all categories of the Global State of Democracy framework. While it performs in the top 25 per cent globally in Inclusive Suffrage and Personal Integrity and Security, it also performs in the bottom 25 per cent on Civic Engagement. Between 2019-2024, Romania has advanced in Freedom of Expression, while simultaneously suffering notable declines in Credible Elections, Freedom of the Press, and Economic Equality. Romania is overall converging gradually towards Western European income levels. While Romania historically relied heavily on agriculture, industry, and natural resource extraction, the modern Romanian economy has diversified to include vibrant IT and tourism sectors.
The unification of the principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia in 1862 and the declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1877 paved the way for the establishment of the state of Romania. After a violent revolution deposed the Communist regime in 1989, the country underwent a difficult transition to democracy, and for years continued to be governed by former Communist officials. Since the fall of Communism, the defining political issue in Romania has been corruption, which has involved high-ranking politicians, weakened the delivery of public services (including in the care sector), triggered protests, and dampened trust in democratic institutions, contributing to persistently low voter turnout. In addition, International IDEA’s 2024 Perceptions of Democracy Survey indicates that Romanians—particularly those with lower incomes—express low levels of faith in the credibility of national elections. Only a quarter of respondents believed the 2020 parliamentary election was free and fair.
Given the country’s large rural population, one of the central cleavages in modern politics concerns the urban-rural divide. Also shaping politics in Romania are high emigration and low birth rates that have fueled a brain drain and an ageing population. Romania is an ethnically, linguistically, and religiously diverse nation. National minorities comprise just over eleven per cent of the population, including large Hungarian and Roma minorities. Parties representing Hungarian interests have considerable influence in government. Over the years, various nationalist political figures have promoted an exclusionary understanding of Romanian identity that heavily emphasizes Romanians’ predominantly Orthodox religious beliefs. The Roma people face institutional and societal discrimination and hate speech, including at the political level.
Although Romania has consistently performed in the mid-range in Gender Equality and provides constitutional protections, resource inequality, including integration in the labour market and in wages, continue to impact women’s income and financial freedom. Gender equality is also challenged by enduring domestic violence, insufficient protection by authorities, and weak political representation of women. Additionally, a recent report ranked Romania in the bottom ten countries in Europe for human rights protections of LGBTQIA+ communities, and European courts have recently found rights violations stemming from insufficient recognition of same-sex relationships and changes to legal gender.
Looking ahead, it will be important to watch the Credible Elections factor in light of the Constitutional Court’s annulment of the 2024 presidential elections, which were re-run in May 2025, including for impacts on public perceptions of the legitimacy of the electoral process and political polarization. Also important to watch will be the government’s performance in the fight against corruption due to a renewed recent focus on this issue, especially proposed legislation criminalizing the bribery of foreign public officials. Attention should also be paid to Social Group Equality in view of recent revelations of severe abuses at care homes affecting the elderly and people with disabilities.
Last updated: June 2025
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
May 2025
Moderate Bucharest mayor wins presidential election
On 18 May, Nicușor Dan won the second round of Romania’s presidential election with 53.6 per cent of the vote. Dan ran as an independent candidate, and has served as mayor of Bucharest since 2020. George Simion, leader of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) party, received 46.4 per cent of the vote. The Romanian Electoral Authority reported voter turnout of 64.7 per cent, a significant increase from 53.2 per cent in the first round of the election held on 4 May. There were 11 presidential candidates in the first round, including 2 women and 9 men. Observers found the election competitive, but noted the campaign was marred by media bias and insufficient transparency in election administration. Simion challenged the result at the Constitutional Court, claiming electoral fraud and alleging interference by France and Moldova; on 22 May, his appeal was rejected. The election followed the Constitutional Court’s decision to annul the previous presidential election in November 2024.
Sources: International IDEA (1), International IDEA (2), Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Robert Schuman Foundation, Romanian Electoral Authority, Constitutional Court, Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty
February 2025
Presidential election front runner barred from candidacy
On 9 March, the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) barred Calin Georgescu, who placed first in Romania’s annulled 2024 presidential election, from standing in May’s election re-run due to past violations of electoral law. The Constitutional Court subsequently rejected his appeal. On 15 March, the BEC also disqualified Diana Șoșoacă, SOS Romania party leader, who had already been barred from the 2024 presidential election for “anti-democratic and anti-semitic discourse.” In addition, on 26 February, prosecutors launched criminal proceedings against Georgescu on charges of undermining the Constitutional order, publicly promoting war criminals and fascist organisations, and disseminating false information. The decision sparked violent riots and was rejected by Georgescu and George Simion, the leader of the right-wing nationalist AUR party, claiming it represents an attack on democracy. Several European embassies in Bucharest have underscored the importance of the independence of the Romanian judiciary.
Sources: International IDEA, Reuters, Juridice, Ministerul Public (1), Ministerul Public (2), DW, Romania Insider, Balkan Insight, Biziday
January 2025
European court establishes compensation in property restitution case
On 7 January, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) announced its decision regarding compensation for damage resulting from the failure of the Romanian state to enforce the restitution of property nationalised by the communist regime between 1945 and 1989. In 2022, the ECHR ruled that Romania violated the rights of 53 Romanian applicants to the protection of property. These applicants had obtained judgments in their favour from domestic courts, either granting them possession of their property or compensation, which were subsequently not adequately enforced. Following the 2022 judgment, the parties failed to reach a settlement. With this decision, the ECHR gives the Romanian government three months to pay immediate compensation, and a time limit of 12 months for the execution of judgments in cases concerning restitution of property.
Sources: ECHR (1), ECHR (2), Juridice (1), Juridice (2), Council of Europe
December 2024
European court finds rights violation in online harassment case
The European Court on Human Rights (ECHR) found that Romania’s legal framework failed to protect a woman from online harassment when her ex-partner published intimate pictures online without her consent in 2016. The ECHR also ruled that the criminal investigation by Romanian authorities into the allegations had been ineffective, and failed to protect her from potential further abuse and to secure required evidence. In 2018, the woman complained to the Prosecutor’s Office that a police officer had sought to persuade her to withdraw her complaint. Romanian authorities argued that the relevant provision of the Criminal Code on the invasion of privacy could not be applied as she had sent the photographs to her partner willingly. The ECHR ruled that there had been a violation of the woman’s right to respect for private and family life, and issued a small fine. In 2023, legislation entered into force in Romania to protect victims of “revenge pornography.”
Sources: European Court of Human Rights, Balkan Insight, ProTV
Romania joins the Schengen area
On 12 December, the European Council confirmed Romania’s full admission to the Schengen visa-free travel area, effective 1 January 2025, ending most border controls for intra-Schengen travel. This is expected to facilitate foreign travel for Bulgarian citizens and enhance travel, trade and tourism. In March 2024, Romania was partially admitted to the Schengen area when internal air and sea border controls were lifted. The European Commission first confirmed that Romania had met the technical criteria for Schengen membership in 2011, but its accession was long opposed by Austria over concerns about irregular migration and security. A 2022 EU fact finding mission reconfirmed Romania’s readiness for accession, and lauded steps taken to strengthen the governance of its external border systems based on a national strategy for integrated border management. The mission report also highlighted strong international cooperation with neighbouring countries and with Frontex, Europol and other EU authorities, as well as anti-corruption measures within law enforcement.
Sources: European Council (1), European Council (2), Balkan Insight, RFE/RL, DW, International IDEA
Governing party wins parliamentary elections, as far-right makes gains
The ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) won parliamentary elections held on 1 December, in which the 331 seats in the Chamber of Deputies (the lower parliamentary house), and the 136 seats in the Senate (the upper house) were up for election. PSD won the largest vote share in both chambers but fell short of a majority, securing 86 seats (22.0 per cent of the vote) in the Chamber of Deputies. The far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) party came second with 63 seats (18.0 per cent) in the lower house, followed by the National Liberal Party (PNL), a junior partner in the outgoing ruling coalition, with 49 seats (13.2 per cent). A total of seven parties will be represented in the new legislature. Voter turnout reached 52.0 per cent, the highest of any parliamentary election since 2004. Women legislators will make up 22.4 per cent of the Chamber of the Deputies (up from 19.2 per cent before the election), and 20.3 per cent in the Senate (up from 17.8 per cent).
Sources: Permanent Electoral Authority, Robert Schuman Foundation, International IDEA, Romania Insider, IPU (1), IPU (2)
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