Romanians began voting on Sunday in a parliamentary election a year after a massive anti-corruption drive forced the last Socialist prime minister from power. The country of about 19 million is one of the poorest in the European Union and perceived as one of the most corrupt. Romania’s biggest party, the Social Democratic Party, is expected to come first and will likely try to form a majority with smaller parties.
In all, 504 seats are up for re-election in Romania’s bicameral Parliament. President Klaus Iohannis, who by law is not allowed to belong to any party, urged Romanians to vote.
“I voted for a prosperous and strong Romania,” Iohannis said after casting his ballot in the Romanian capital of Bucharest.