FORMER VICE-PREMIER ADRIEAN VIDEANU ELECTED MAYOR

UNCLAS BUCHAREST 000837

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EUR/NCE - WILLIAM SILKWORTH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM SOCI ECON RO
SUBJECT: FORMER VICE-PREMIER ADRIEAN VIDEANU ELECTED MAYOR
OF BUCHAREST

Ref: Bucharest 814


1. (SBU) Summary. Liberal-Democratic (PNL-PD) Alliance
candidate Adriean Videanu won the Bucharest mayoral election
on April 3. Given that he received more than half the vote,
there will not be an electoral run-off. Videanu is a
successful pro-American businessman with the ear of
President Basescu. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Romania's Central Electoral Bureau April 4
announced that Liberal-Democratic (PNL-PD) Alliance
candidate Adriean Videanu won Bucharest mayoral elections
held April 3. According to official results, Videanu won 53
percent of the votes, defeating his main challenger, Marian
Vanghelie, from the Social Democratic Party (PSD).
Vanghelie garnered only 29.5 percent of the votes.


3. (SBU) The elections were characterized by only 24.8
percent voter turnout, the lowest ever for the Bucharest
mayoralty. Analysts said the general belief that Videanu
would win and voter fatigue after national elections in
December contributed to widespread apathy. Videaunu will
fill immediately the mayoral position, which was vacated by
Traian Basescu in December when the latter won the Romanian
presidency.


4. (SBU) Videanu is a longstanding Member of Parliament for
the Democratic Party (PD) and a confidante of President
Basescu. He moved into the national spotlight last summer,
when he was rumored as a possible prime ministerial pick in
the event of victory by then PNL-PD presidential candidate
Theodor Stolojan. Basescu ultimately selected National
Liberal Party (PNL) chief Calin Popescu-Tariceanu for the PM
position, but Videanu was named to one of the top Vice
Premier slots and given charge of economic issues and
negotiations with the IMF. Basescu reportedly then picked
Videanu as the Alliance candidate for Bucharest mayor.
Videanu resigned his ministerial responsibilities just
before the campaign. Videanu has no experience in local
politics, but he has won a reputation as a successful
businessman. The media often refer to him as "the marble
king" -- he owns one of the largest marble companies in the
country.


5. (SBU) In his initial remarks after the announcement of
his mayoral win, Videanu showed little surprise, as he and
his supporters widely expected to win. He declared
improving Bucharest infrastructure one of his top priorities
as a mayor. He also pledged to build major sports and
financial complexes and expand a "green zone" to reduce dust
and pollution in the city.


6. (SBU) Comment. Post knows Videanu well and has worked
closely with him in the Parliament and in Government. He is
enthusiastically pro-American and pro-free market. His two
children attend the American International School in
Bucharest, and he credits the small business loans he
received through USAID programs several years ago for his
current status as one of Romania's post-communist success
stories. While lacking the dynamic and highly personal
style of Basescu, he nonetheless will bring a high level of
competence and commitment to City Hall. His direct access
to Basescu and PM Tariceanu will also help him greatly in
bringing resources to and gaining attention for the city.
With a PNL-PD majority in the City Council - as well as
Alliance control of in five of the six Bucharest sector
mayoralties - he should be in a strong political position to
carry out his mandate to increase economic activity and
improve the quality of life in the capital.


7. (U) Amembassy Bucharest's reporting telegrams are
available on the Bucharest SIPRNET Website:
www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/bucharest. DELARE