Reuters comments that the Social Liberal Union capitalized on the disillusion caused by Basescu and the previous government, which applied unpopular austerity measures such as salary cuts and a VAT increase. Prime Minister Victor Ponta’s victory, Reuters estimates, might usher in a new round of power clashes with the right-wing president and might complicate negotiations for a new agreement with the IMF, after the current agreement expires early in 2013.

In turn, Bloomberg announces the Social Liberal Union came first in the election, helping prime minister Victor Ponta dominate Parliament and giving him a stronger hand in the negotiations on the new cabinet with rival President Traian Basescu. According to Bloomberg, Ponta, who has been in power since May, persuaded voters with promises to restore salaries and to lower taxes. The agency says that now Ponta must convince the head of state to designate him again as chief of the government.

The power struggle between the two has grown tense since the Social Liberal Union’s failed attempt to impeach the president this summer. Associated Press also mentions the previous clashes between Traian Basescu and Victor Ponta, who sometimes resorted to coarse language in their disputes. For instance, the president called Victor Ponta a pathological liar and a plagiarist, while the prime minister accused Basescu of dividing the people and overstepping his constitutional powers. Associated Press also notes that Basescu may nominate someone other than Ponta for the prime minister position, but his choice needs to be validated by Parliament.