Romania’s opposition parties USR, PLUS agree on electoral alliance

The Save Romania Union (USR), one of the biggest opposition parties in Romania, signed an electoral agreement with the newly-formed party of former prime minister Dacian Ciolos, PLUS, and sketched a joint list of candidates for the European elections. "The main opposition force was born: the 2020 USR + PLUS Alliance. Our project is Romania. Now you have who [to vote for]!" wrote PLUS leader Dacian Ciolos on Facebook. USR originates in Save Bucharest Union, a party-turned movement initiated by activist and mathematician Nicusor Dan. After entering the Parliament, USR faced a split and Nicusor Dan left the party. The new president is Dan Barna, a former state secretary in the Government of technocrats Ciolos led in 2016. Dan Ghinea, one of Barna’s main collaborators in USR, served as minister of European funds in the Ciolos cabinet. Dacian Ciolos said in a press statement with Dan Barna that the goal is to form the main opposition force "which will soon be able to take over the Government." The combined electoral score of the two parties (14.5% under the latest poll) is, however, smaller than that of the main opposition party, the National Liberal Party (16%). Romania’s former technocrat PM Dacian Ciolos will run in the next EP elections Former Romanian PM Ciolos elected president of newly-formed party editor@romania-insider.com (photo source: Facebook / Uniunea Salvați România - USR)