Romania's Social Democrats publish poll showing party ahead of former coalition partners

16 July 2026 Romania's Social Democratic Party (PSD) has published the results of an opinion poll commissioned from the Romanian Institute for Evaluation and Strategy (IRES), showing the party maintaining a clear lead over its former coalition partners despite the ongoing political crisis, while the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) remains the largest political force. According to the survey, AUR would receive 40% of voting intentions among respondents who expressed a preference if parliamentary elections were held now, Adevarul reported. PSD ranks second with 21%, ahead of the National Liberal Party (PNL) at 17% and Save Romania Union (USR) at 10%. UDMR would receive 3%, while SENS and SOS Romania would each obtain 2%, and POT 1%. The poll noted that these figures are c