Romania’s leftist Social Democrats won countrywide local elections on Sunday with a projected 37.5 per cent of the vote, according to an exit poll, placing them in a strong position before a parliamentary election later this year.
The leftists resigned from government last year after massive street protests in the wake of a deadly night club fire that raised concerns over corruption in public administration. A cabinet of technocrats is in charge until a parliamentary vote in November or December.
The exit poll, conducted by Curs-Avangarde for private television station Romania TV, showed the Liberal Party in second place on 28 percent.
Several exit polls showed leftist Gabriela Firea won in the capital Bucharest. The party also won at least five of the capital’s six districts.