Romania’s ruling coalition lost majority, poll shows

The main opposition party, the National Liberal Party (PNL) performed better than the senior ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) - 17.1% versus 16.4%, in the latest electoral poll carried by IMAS at the request of Europa FM radio station. The other significant opposition party, Save Romania Union (USR), also surpassed the junior ruling partner the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE) by 7.5% to 6.3%, local Hotnews.ro reported. The RO+ party of former Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos received a significant support of 5.3%. But the share of non-answers was impressive: 8.5% of the polled voters said that they would not vote at all while 26.1% refused to answer or said that they have no preference yet. When it comes to the presidential elections, incumbent President Klaus Iohannis dominates by far the poll with 34.9% of the votes, versus 12.7% - 12.9% scores of Calin Popescu Tariceanu (ALDE) and Victor Ponta (PRO Romania). Dacian Ciolos (RO+) ranked fourth with 9.2% potential votes, followed by PSD leader Liviu Dragnea (PSD, 5.3%). editor@romania-insider.com (photo source: Inquam Photos / Alexandra Pandrea)