The European Parliament elections in Romania will highlight the deep divisions within the country’s political system

The European Parliament elections in Romania in May 2014 will be held alongside a constitutional referendum, and ahead of Presidential elections in November 2014. Clara Volintiru writes that while the elections will serve as a ‘dress rehearsal’ for the Presidential elections later in the year, they will potentially have wider significance for Romanian democracy. She argues that given the fragile governing coalition and continuous transformations of political parties within Romania, the results are likely to have a substantial impact on the country’s governing and electoral dynamics.

• Primary Source

Europe Decides: Romania http://europedecides.eu/country-by-country/ro/

EurActiv, 29.01.14: 2014, hard electoral year in Romania: EP elections, "combined" with a national referendum and also seen as an "exercise" for the presidential elections in winter http://www.euractiv.ro/uniunea-europeana/articles|displayArticle/articleID_25766/Links_Dossier_%5BEN%5D_2014_hard_electoral_year_in_Romania_EP_elections_combined_with_a_national_referendum_and_also_seen_as_an_exercise_for_the_presidential_elections_in_winter.html

ESO: Background information: European Parliament: Election, May 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-parliament-election-may-2014/

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Romania-Insider.com, 10.02.14: Comment: 2014 European Parliament elections – Europe will decide, but will Romanians? http://www.romania-insider.com/comment-2014-european-parliament-elections-europe-will-decide-but-will-romanians/114814/

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