Romania's LGBTQ+ Pioneer: Florin Buhuceanu's Historic Run for Parliament

Florin Buhuceanu aims to become Romania's first openly gay MP as he runs in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Despite a European court ruling mandating recognition of same-sex unions, Romanian politicians have made little progress. Buhuceanu seeks to advance LGBTQ+ rights and representation in the socially conservative country.

Florin Buhuceanu, an LGBTQ+ activist, is on a pioneering journey to become Romania's first openly gay member of parliament. Running for the liberal REPER party, Buhuceanu is challenging Romania's stagnant stance on same-sex unions despite a 2023 order by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to recognize them.

Buhuceanu, alongside his partner Victor Ciobotaru, brought Romania to the ECHR in 2019, demanding equal recognition afforded to married couples. Although they won the case, political paralysis has delayed change, exacerbated by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu's assertion that the country is unready to implement the ruling.

Amid a backdrop of growing but limited acceptance in urban centers and rising intolerance across Eastern Europe, Buhuceanu's campaign symbolizes hope for Romania's LGBTQ+ community, which has long faced exclusion from political representation.

(With inputs from agencies.)