Advisory firm: Iohannis could spur economic liberalisation in Romania

Advisory firm Oxford Analytica argues in an article for “The Oxford Analytica Daily Brief” that the most likely presidential candidate in Romania’s 2014 elections to bring change is liberal leader Klaus Iohannis.

Oxford Analytica anticipates that Victor Ponta and Klaus Iohannis will likely be the top-running candidates to make it to the second round vote on November 16.

While Ponta’s priorities are social, arguing “that a society is only as strong as its weakest members”, Iohannis, is, in Oxford Analytica’s view, “concerned about the fragility of the middle classes” and his “programme is detailed and thorough”.

“Where he sees an important role for the public administration, for instance in attracting and managing EU funds, he proposes detailed, thorough measures to increase the quality of the public service, its integrity and transparency. Thus, his aims are legislative stability, creation of a climate favorable for investment and specific developmental strategies for all the major sectors — industry, agriculture and new technology and energy, including renewables”, Oxford Analytica notes,

The consultancy firm’s article ends by noting the different styles the two main candidates enforce.

“Ponta enthusiastically extols the possibilities for economic development and the objectives of energy security and equality of opportunity for all; Iohannis is detailed and thorough in his analysis of the current situation, the role of the president in the institutional architecture and how he intends to use these levers to further his objectives”

The first round of presidential elections takes place this Sunday, on November 2, with the next round taking place two weeks later.