The unprecedented and perilous decision by Romania’s Constitutional Court to disqualify Diana Șoșoacă from the presidential race has stirred a strong anti-PSD (Social Democratic Party) sentiment just two months ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections.
Political backlash has been swift, as parties across the spectrum—from the ruling PNL (National Liberal Party) to opposition groups USR (Save Romania Union) and AUR (Alliance for the Union of Romanians)—have accused the PSD of interfering in the democratic process. Four of the seven judges who voted for the decision were appointed by PSD, under the leadership of Marcel Ciolacu. The fifth judge was proposed by UDMR (Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania), PSD’s loyal ally.
