Romanian parliamentary elections: Pro-EU win masks far-right surge fuelled by Schengen delay

In January 2025, Bulgaria and Romania will officially become members of the Schengen Area, ending a 13-year wait. Many, however, feel this has come too late.

Sunday's parliamentary election in Romania may have brought about a victory for pro-European parties, but the far-right was also a big winner, receiving a historical high voting share of 30%. The much-delayed Romanian accession to the Schengen Area, which will provide fully free movement in the EU, was crucial to the campaign's outcome.

Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007, with negotiations for joining the Schengen zone beginning four years later. Despite having approval from the European Commission, the Netherlands and later Austria vetoed the process.

Kamil Calus, researcher at the Centre for Eastern Studies in Poland, said "The prevailing mood right now in Romanian society is not 'we've finally got it', but rather, 'it was about time'. There is also a feeling that Romania is becoming a member at a time when the Schengen zone is going through a troubled period, with countries imposing border controls."

Indeed, many EU countries have begun reintroducing temporary border controls since 2015. In recent months, Germany and France, among others, have decided to suspend Schengen Area movement temporarily for security reasons.

Suzana Dragomir, a researcher in disinformation at Babes Boyai University says “It's true that mistakes have also been made on the EU side, but the Schengen story has actually been used a lot by sovereigntist parties and the far-right, who say Brussels doesn't treat us as equal partners. I think this also contributes to a general sentiment against the EU."

"I think the struggle is that we are disillusioned with the West because not everyone benefits from EU membership. People may not be living their worst life, but they also feel that Romania has seen economic growth due to rising inequality," she adds.

According to a recent GlobSec survey, 83% of Romanians back the country’s EU membership. However, more than 70% believe that the EU dictates what they do without their government being able to influence it.

Kamil Calus explains that "A certain part of the Romanian population feels that they are second-class citizens of the EU."

One of the arguments used by anti-establishment parties to support this thesis has been the delay in negotiations for entry into the Schengen Area.

Looking forward, the next few weeks will be crucial in Romanian politics, which will now see the start of negotiations for the formation of a new government. On Sunday, the second round of presidential elections is now set take place after Romania's Constitutional Court ruled the first round result was valid. The 8 December run-off will see the pro-Russian and far-right candidate Colin Georgescu face the pro-European Elena Lasconi.