The Bucharest Municipal Electoral Office (BEM) has admitted 17 of the 21 candidacies submitted for the Bucharest mayor office.

On Monday the period for submitting candidacy files ended.

According to the BEM website, the following candidates will enter the electoral race in the partial local elections scheduled on 7 December:

* Catalin Drula (the Save Romania Union – USR)

* Ciprian Ciucu (the National Liberal Party – PNL)

* Anca Alexandrescu (electoral alliance „Justice for Bucharest”)

* George Valentin Burcea (the Young People’s Party – POT)

* Daniel Baluta (the Social Democratic Party – PSD)

* Virgil Alexandru Zidaru (independent)

* Ana Maria Ciceala (the Health, Education, Nature, Sustainability Party – SENS)

* Rares Lazar (the Romania in Action Party)

* Oana Cretu (the United Social Democratic Party)

* Vlad Gheorghe (independent)

* Eugen Orlando Teodorovici (independent)

* Gheorghe Macovei (the Greater Romania Party – PRM)

* Gheorghe Netoiu (independent)

* Liviu Gheorghe Floarea (the Maniu Mihalache National Peasant Party – PNTMM)

* Mihai Ioan Lasca (the Patriots of the Romanian People Party – PPR)

* Angela Negrota (independent)

* Danut Angelo Trifu (independent)

The BEM postponed on Monday its decision regarding the candidacy of Dan Cristian Popescu (independent). And Filip Constantin Titian also submitted his file and the Electoral Office will review the documents.

Moreover, the BEM rejected the independent candidacies submitted by Maria Marcu and Dumitrica Stan. Their files were incomplete and did not include the lists of supporters.

The BEM decisions may be challenged by citizens, political parties, political alliances and electoral alliances within no more than 24 hours from the date the candidacy is posted.

These decisions become final on 23 November. AGERPRES