Analysis – Electoral Promises: Between Populism and Feasibility

Promises were rated high, medium or low on two criteria: relevance (fit with the country's real needs and the European integration agenda) and feasibility (financial coverage, implementation tools, impact analysis). The programmes covered are those of Blocul Alternativa, the Patriotic Electoral Bloc, Blocul Împreună, the Coalition for Unity and Welfare, the League of Towns and Communes, the Party of Action and Solidarity, Partidul Nostru and the European Social Democratic Party.

All programmes share three conclusions. First, their quality is poor: they are superficial, formal, often late, ambiguous and contradictory, and lack impact analyses, funding sources and monitoring indicators. Second, populism is high and feasibility limited: most promises have a negative budgetary impact, with funding missing or vague. Third, a single contestant often combines stimulus measures with tax breaks, which contradict each other. The authors see this as a sign of a weak democratic process, with superficial debates focused on secondary topics.