Party Leaders in Romania: Designated Successors or Tactical Players?

Abstract

This chapter focuses on two leaders belonging to influential parties in Romanian politics: Emil Boc (PDL) and Victor Ponta (PSD). We aimed to include those leaders that could allow to detect the relationship between their personality and behavior, and the general evolution of the party. Our analysis, consistent with the general goal of this book, seeks to test the leadership’s impact on party organization in terms of electoral performance, intra-party cohesion and membership. Both party leaders were also prime ministers in turbulent times, which makes their analysis as party leaders more relevant.

Keywords: protégé, gradual ascension, confidence, awareness, party membership