Romanian ruling parties prepare to announce candidates for Bucharest mayor

Romania’s main ruling parties, the Social Democrats (PSD), the National Liberal Party (PNL), and the reformist Save Romania Union (USR), are readying to put forward the official candidates for the local elections in Bucharest set on December 7. While PNL could choose District 6 mayor Ciprian Ciucu for the general mayor race, PSD is yet to announce a candidate, and USR's Cătălin Drulă said he would run.

The seat of Bucharest general mayor was left vacant after Nicusor Dan became president of Romania in May. However, the local elections have been a point of dispute in the ruling coalition in the last weeks, as the Social Democrats maneuvered to block a possible common candidate between center-right governing partners PNL and USR. Tensions eased, however, as the three parties agreed to each field a candidate.