It is estimated that 500,000 Romanians with the right to vote are now working abroad. There are other estimations claiming that the number reaches 1,500,000. And there is also half-official estimation that 2,500,000 Romanians are employed abroad. Let's admit the error rate is huge. It may grow and after Romania's accession to the European Union the number may be much larger. It is certain that more Romanians than until now will go for better wages in Western Europe by the 2008 elections. Therefore there is a substantial electoral material to be used for the parliamentary elections in 2007. No matter the correct figure, it is to give politicians the creeps. The answers to the questions 'How many Romanians are there abroad?' and 'Will they have means to make politician options?' will show a rather fair prognosis of future election results. Starting from today it can play a decisive influence on political messages and action. It is a mystery why market research institutes, now truly experienced, haven't looked into this fabulous electoral mass of Romanians living abroad. Who are they? What was on their minds when leaving? What is on their minds today? In which countries and communities do they work and how can the respective countries and communities influence their political options? By what means do such Romanians get information on the events in Romania? How many of them can use the Internet? How often do they come back? Thorough market research can actually explain the difference between the few hundred thousands in official statistics and the more than two millions in half-official statistics. But let's leave the exact figure aside, since we can only approximate it. Let's assume the Romanians now abroad have become an electoral mass, which is common sense. Let's estimate they have got enough information on the political evolution in Romania and that in the parliamentary elections to be held in 2008 they will be able to make choices. If it is true that they are an electoral critical mass, then it is compulsory to institutionalize some legal procedures for them to express their right to vote free and unhampered and, one way or the other, be the target of various parties' electoral campaigns. As far as the first is concerned, I think the mail ballot legally regulated may be the one solution. No matter if they prove right in time, such allegations still don't answer questions like the following: What is the general orientation of Romanians employed broad? Are they much closer to the Social-Democrat Party, that is to Romanian socialism, or to the Liberals, that is to the democratic right? Or are the Romanians abroad more attracted to Gigi Becali's party, as recent clues are showing? I don't want to think about what way they may get to choose one year later, in 2009, the year of presidential elections. I looking forward to scientific research on it. If it is fair, we will have enough information for precise evaluation of future political winners and losers.

Sorin Rosca Stanescu