Despite allegations of corruption, Romania's social democrats (PSD) have won local elections, leaving the centre-right National Liberal Party (PNL) far behind, official results showed Monday, according to dpa. Projections in the capital city of Bucharest pointed to a victory for the PSD's mayoral candidate Gabriela Firea, who secured 43.9 per cent of the vote. Political newcomer Nicusor Dan followed with 29.1 per cent. Dan had run under a new local party, the Union to Save Bucharest (USB), which focused on fighting corruption and protecting the environment and monument preservation. Country-wide projections had the PSD winning 39.17 per cent of the vote in mayoral elections and 37.52 per cent in regional parliaments, while the PNL garnered 32.9 per cent and 32.1 per cent, respectively, with 87.47 per cent of votes counted. Sunday's elections were seen as a test ahead of parliamentary elections in November, with experts predicting a loss at the local elections for the PNL, which is closely tied to President Klaus Iohannis.
