Social Democratic Party (Romania)

Following the 27–29 May 1992 Convention of the National Salvation Front ({{langx|ro|Frontul Salvării Naționale}}, FSN) when Petre Roman became President of the Party, former Party Leader Ion Iliescu and his group of supporters withdrew from FSN and founded the Democratic National Salvation Front ({{langx|ro|Frontul Democrat al Salvării Naționale}}, FDSN) while the rest of FSN was renamed as the Democratic Party (Romanian: Partidul Democrat) in May 1993.{{Cite web |title=După '90 {{!}} FSN devine Partidul Democrat |url=https://dupa90.ro/timeline-events/28-29-mai-1993 |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=dupa90.ro |language=ro-RO}}

During its first National Conference on the 28th of June 1992, FDSN decided on endorsing Ion Iliescu in the 1992 Romanian general election,{{Cite web |title=După '90 {{!}} Convenția FDSN |url=https://dupa90.ro/timeline-events/27-28-iunie-1992 |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=dupa90.ro |language=ro-RO}} which they later won and went on to govern Romania until 1996.{{Cite web |title=Partidul Social Democrat - Partide - Politica Românească |url=http://www.politicaromaneasca.ro/partidul_social_democrat-285 |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=www.politicaromaneasca.ro}} On 10 July 1993, it took the name of Party of Social Democracy in Romania (PDSR) upon merger with the Socialist Democratic Party of Romania, the Republican Party, and the Cooperative Party.{{Cite web |title=După '90 {{!}} Conferința Națională a Frontului Democrat al Salvării Naționale |url=https://dupa90.ro/timeline-events/9-10-iulie-1993 |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=dupa90.ro |language=ro-RO}}

File:Party_of_Social_Democracy_in_Romania_logo.gif

From 1992 to 1996, the PDSR ruled in coalition with the Romanian National Unity Party (PUNR) and Greater Romania Party (PRM), and the left-wing Socialist Party of Labour (PSM), nicknemed by the Press as the Red Quadrilateral. The PUNR had ministers in the cabinet chaired by Nicolae Văcăroiu from March 1992 to September 1996. The PRM was not present at the cabinet-level but was given some posts in the state administration but which it retracted when it left the coalition in 1995.{{Cite web |last=Arhiva |first=de |title=Un sfert de secol de la alegerile care au adus la Guvernare "patrulaterul roşu". POVESTEA UNEI FOTOGRAFII |url=https://evz.ro/sfert-de-secol-alegerile-patrulaterul-rosu.html |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=evz.ro |date=27 September 2017 |language=Romanian}}

PDSR went into opposition after the 1996 Romanian general election, which was won by the right-wing coalition Romanian Democratic Convention (CDR).{{Cite web |title=1996 Parliamentary Elections: Chamber of Deputies |url=http://www2.essex.ac.uk/elect/database/indexElections.asp?country=ROMANIA&election=ro96cd |access-date=2024-05-18 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614133919/http://www2.essex.ac.uk/elect/database/indexElections.asp?country=ROMANIA&election=ro96cd | archive-date=14 June 2011 }}

After four years of governmental turmoil and economic downfall, poorly managed by the crumbling CDR, saw PDSR making a fulminant comeback, winning the 2000 Romanian general election, this time in a coalition named the Social Democratic Pole of Romania (PDSR) along with the Romanian Social Democratic Party (PSDR, who was part of the government from 1996 to 2000, as a member of the Social Democratic Union, now led by Alexandru Athanasiu) and the Romanian Humanist Party (PUR). The PSDR merged with PDSR on 16 June 2001, and the resulting party took the PSD name, with PDSR/PSD leader Adrian Năstase becoming prime minister. The centre-left Democratic Party (PD) was also invited by both Athanasiu and Năstase to join the new PSD, but PD president Traian Băsescu refused to take part in the merger.{{cite web | url=https://jurnalul.ro/editorial/pdl-decizia-de-auto-destructurare-671814.html | title=PDL -Decizia de auto-destructurare }}{{cite web | url=https://www.ziaruldeiasi.ro/stiri/pdsr-ul-se-va-strecura-in-internationala-socialista-prin-portita-deschisa-de-psdr--1pqu.html | title=PDSR-ul se va strecura in Internationala Socialista prin portita deschisa de PSDR | date=12 February 2001 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.curentul.info/politic/psdr-si-pdsr-si-au-propus-sa-atraga-si-pd-in-viitorul-psd/ | title=PSDR si PDSR si-au propus sa atraga si PD in viitorul PSD | date=31 May 2001 }} A controversial figure due to the corruption scandals in which he and his party were involved, Năstase is still regarded by both admirers and rivals (including his archrival Traian Băsescu),{{cite web | url=https://ziare.com/adrian-nastase/traian-basescu/nastase-ironizeaza-pdl-dupa-ce-basescu-a-spus-ca-a-fost-cel-mai-bun-premier-1127387 | title=Nastase ironizeaza PDL dupa ce Basescu a spus ca a fost cel mai bun premier }} as the best and most efficient Romanian post-communist Prime Minister, being praised for his efforts of Euro-Atlantic integration of Romania and for the stabilization and modernization of the Romanian economy.{{cite web | url=https://evz.ro/el-insusi-arogantul-adrian-nastase-poreclele-fostului-premier-psd.html/amp | title="El însuși", "arogantul" Adrian Năstase. Poreclele primite de-a lungul timpului de fostul premier | date=22 August 2022 }}{{Cite web | title=Adrian Nastase, cel mai bun prim-ministru al Romaniei din ultimii 10 ani - Sondaj Ziare.com | url=https://ziare.com/politica/premier/adrian-nastase-cel-mai-bun-prim-ministru-al-romaniei-din-ultimii-10-ani-sondaj-ziare-com-1065242 | access-date=2024-12-25 | website=ziare.com}}{{cite web | url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-24743328-anca-dragu-cel-mai-performant-guvern-fost-cel-condus-nastase-avut-continuitate.htm | title=Anca Dragu: Cel mai performant guvern a fost cel condus de Năstase, a avut continuitate / Președinta Senatului își nuanțează afirmația - UPDATE - HotNews.ro | date=18 April 2021 }}{{cite web | url=https://adevarul.ro/stiri-interne/evenimente/inapoi-in-timp-cum-arata-romania-in-vremea-1502903.html#gal=5840705a-46da-4147-9fd2-d60a39d1a90d&gal_i=2&gal_fs=0 | title=Înapoi în timp. Cum arăta România în vremea "Atotputernicului" Adrian Năstase | date=6 January 2014 }}

File:2001-2006_PSD_Logo.jpg

In November 2004, Adrian Năstase, the PSD candidate and incumbent Prime Minister of Romania, won the first round of the presidential elections but did not have a majority and had to go to a second round of voting, which he narrowly lost to Traian Băsescu of the opposition Justice and Truth Alliance (DA), who became Romania's 4th president. In the 2004 Romanian general election, the PSD gained the largest share of the vote but because it did not have a majority, the other parties that managed to enter parliament, UDMR/RMDSZ and PUR, abandoned their respective pre-electoral agreements with the PSD and joined the Justice and Truth Alliance (DA), mainly at the pressure of Băsescu. Mircea Geoană was elected president of the party in April 2005 by delegates at a PSD Party Congress held in Bucharest. His victory represented a surprise defeat for Iliescu, who was expected to defeat Geoană with ease. On 17 April 2008, the PSD and the PC announced they would form a political alliance for the 2008 Romanian local elections.{{cite web | title=Romania's PSD and PC form alliance (SETimes.com) | website=setimes.com | date=17 April 2008 | url=http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2008/04/17/nb-04 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607004256/http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2008/04/17/nb-04 | archive-date=7 June 2008 | url-status=dead | access-date=17 October 2019}}

In February 2010, the Congress elected Victor Ponta as president after Geoană lost the 2009 Romanian presidential election. On 5 February 2011, the PSD formed a political alliance known as the Social Liberal Union (USL) with the PC and the National Liberal Party (PNL).{{cite web | last=Zhang | title=Romanian Oppositions Form Alliance | website=CRIENGLISH | date=6 February 2011 | url=http://english.cri.cn/6966/2011/02/06/1461s619327.htm | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629123421/http://english.cri.cn/6966/2011/02/06/1461s619327.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=29 June 2012 | access-date=17 October 2019}} The USL was disbanded on 25 February 2014 with exit of the PNL, which entered the opposition.{{cite web | last=Bivol | first=Alex | title=Romania's Liberals to leave ruling coalition, government | website=The Sofia Globe | date=25 February 2014 | url=https://sofiaglobe.com/2014/02/25/romanias-liberals-to-leave-ruling-coalition-government/ | access-date=17 October 2019}}

In July 2015, Liviu Dragnea was elected by the Congress of the PSD as the new president of the party, with 97% of the votes from the members. He was elected as leader after the former prime minister Victor Ponta stepped down on 12 July 2015 following charges of corruption that were later dropped. On 12 April 2019, the PSD was suspended from the Party of European Socialists (PES) following concerns about judicial reforms of the Dăncilă Cabinet.{{cite web | title=European Socialists freeze relations with Romanian ruling party | website=Romania Insider | date=12 April 2019 | url=https://www.romania-insider.com/european-socialists-freeze-relations-psd | access-date=17 October 2019}} In May 2019, after Liviu Dragnea's jailing, Viorica Dăncilă was elected by the Congress of the PSD as the new president of the party.

After being ousted from power in October 2019, the PSD also lost the 2019 Romanian presidential election. Such decline sent shockwase across the European Union (EU), especially the PES, as it resulted in their loss of power within von der Leyen Commission. Nonetheless, Daniel Hegedüs posited that this could be a win for both the PES and the wider European left, as the PES would regain credibility because "mounting authoritarianism in Hungary and Poland has suffered under the burden of PSD's rule-of-law record". In addition, Hegedüs noted the fact that this could represent another chance for the PSD to reform itself and change its ways.{{cite web|last=Hegedüs|first=Daniel|date=2 December 2019|title=Loss for Romania's Social Democrats Is a Win for Europe's Left|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2019/12/02/loss-for-romanias-social-democrats-is-a-win-for-europes-left/|access-date=17 October 2021|website=Balkan Insight}}

In August 2020, Marcel Ciolacu became president of the party (after having previously served for this position only as ad interim between November 2019 and August 2020).{{cite web|last=Stroe|first=Daniel|date=24 August 2020|title=Romania: Ciolacu elected PSD President|url=https://balkaneu.com/romania-ciolacu-elected-psd-president/|access-date=5 November 2021|publisher=Independent Balkan News Agency|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105072020/https://balkaneu.com/romania-ciolacu-elected-psd-president/|url-status=dead}} During the same month, the PSD was willing to vote a motion of no confidence against the second Orban cabinet.{{cite web|last=Necșuțu|first=Mădălin|date=28 August 2020|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2020/08/28/romanian-government-to-be-tested-by-no-confidence-motion/|title=Romanian Government to be Tested by No-Confidence Motion|website=Balkan Insight|access-date=5 November 2021}} Shortly after December 2020, while still the largest party in the wake of the 2020 Romanian legislative election, the PSD suffered significant political capital losses (as they previously did in the 2020 Romanian local elections as well) given the chaotic and negative governmental activity the party was responsible for during the former legislature (more specifically during the years 2017 and 2019), yet remained the biggest parliamentary opposition well up until the end of 2021.

During the 2021 Romanian political crisis, the PSD was again willing to have such a vote, this time against the Cîțu Cabinet,{{cite web|date=3 September 2021|title=PSD, mesaj pentru USR PLUS: puteți bate câmpii oricât, vom vota orice moțiune de cenzură|trans-title=PSD, message for USR PLUS: you can beat the plains no matter how much, we will vote any no confidence motion|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/psd-mesaj-pentru-usr-plus-puteti-bate-campii-oricat-vom-vota-orice-motiune-de-cenzura-1656441|access-date=17 October 2021|website=Digi24|language=ro}} which it subsequently did,{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/competing-no-confidence-motions-filed-against-romanian-cabinet-2021-09-28/|title=Romania's centrist PM faces no-confidence vote on Oct. 5|work=Reuters|date=28 September 2021|access-date=5 November 2021}} thereby contributing to its final dismissal.{{cite web|last=Necșuțu|first=Mădălin|date=5 October 2021|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2021/10/05/romanian-government-ousted-by-no-confidence-vote/|title=Romanian Government Ousted by No-Confidence Vote|website=Balkan Insight|access-date=5 November 2021}} In November 2021, successful negotiations with the PNL led the PSD closer to returning government in the incumbent Ciucă Cabinet within a grand coalition government known as the National Coalition for Romania (or CNR for short).{{cite web|last=Duțulescu|first=Adriana|date=4 November 2021|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/surse-ce-au-discutat-liderii-pnl-si-psd-si-cum-au-ajuns-aproape-sa-bata-palma-pentru-o-guvernare-de-7-ani-1724929|title=Surse: Ce au discutat liderii PNL și PSD și cum au ajuns aproape să bată palma pentru o guvernare de 7 ani|trans-title=Sources: What the PNL and PSD leaders discussed and how they came close for a 7-year government agreement|website=Digi24|language=ro|access-date=5 November 2021}} The PSD is still governing Romania as of early 2022, albeit with major tensions in the said grand coalition. The coalition has been described as authoritarian conservative.{{cite web | url=https://www.fanatik.ro/pnl-si-psd-imping-romania-catre-un-regim-autoritar-amendamentul-surpriza-din-legea-anti-ong-folosit-impotriva-presei-ne-ducem-intr-o-directie-foarte-periculoasa-20316603 | title=PNL și PSD împing România către un regim autoritar. Amendamentul surpriză din legea anti-ONG, folosit împotriva presei. "Ne ducem într-o direcție foarte periculoasă" | date=20 February 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.g4media.ro/degradare-accelerata-si-fara-precedent-a-democratiei-in-regimul-iohannis-ciuca-romania-e-redusa-la-tacere-pnl-se-psd-izeaza-rapid.html | title=Degradare accelerată și fără precedent a democrației în regimul Iohannis-Ciucă. România e redusă la tăcere, PNL se PSD-izează rapid | date=29 June 2022 }}

In November 2022, the PSD agreed with the Moldovan European Social Democratic Party (PSDE) to begin a strategic partnership.{{cite web | url=https://www.rfi.ro/politica-150738-pdm-ul-lui-plahotniuc-ajuns-psde-ciolacuaici-este-resursa-cea-mai-importanta-care | title=PDM-ul lui Plahotniuc a ajuns PSDE. Ciolacu:"Aici este resursa cea mai importantă care face puntea dintre DVS și români" | date=21 November 2022 | access-date=23 December 2022 | archive-date=28 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928012108/https://www.rfi.ro/politica-150738-pdm-ul-lui-plahotniuc-ajuns-psde-ciolacuaici-este-resursa-cea-mai-importanta-care | url-status=dead }}

File:PSD (Romania) Diagram.png

• Alliance for Romania (1997)
• National Union for the Progress of Romania (2010)
• Romanian Social Party (2015), Succeeded by Prahova in Action Party (2020), then by Romania in Action Party (2023)
• United Romania Party (2015)
• PRO Romania (2018)
• Romanian Nationhood Party (2019)
• Alliance for the Homeland (2023)

• Republican Party (1993)¹
• Cooperative Party (1993)¹
• Romanian Socialist Democratic Party (1993)¹
• Romanian Social Democratic Party (2001)²
• Alliance for Romania (2002)
• Socialist Party of Labour (2003)
• Socialist Party of the National Renaissance (2003)
• Romanian Social Party (2018)
• United Romania Party (2019)

; Notes

¹ After the merger, the party changed its name from the Democratic National Salvation Front (FDSN) to the Party of Social Democracy in Romania (PDSR).

² After the merger, the party changed its name from the Party of Social Democracy in Romania (PDSR) to the Social Democratic Party (PSD).

Like its counterpart national-level members of the Party of European Socialists (PES), the PSD has a centre-left outlook and has been described as governing as centre-left,{{refn|{{cite web | url=https://politpro.eu/en/romania/parties | title=Romania: Parties at a glance }}{{cite web | url=https://dexonline.ro/definitie/partidul%20social-democrat/696621 | title=PARTIDUL SOCIAL-DEMOCRAT (P.S.D.) }}{{cite web | url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-12786753-psd-unpr-semnat-alianta-centru-stanga.htm | title= PSD si UNPR vor forma o alianta politica de centru-stanga | date= 13 July 2012 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.caleaeuropeana.ro/presedintele-psd-liviu-dragnea-psd-este-cel-mai-mare-partid-de-stanga-din-europa-se-doreste-o-contraofensiva-la-ungaria-cu-o-tara-unde-guvernul-e-de-stanga/|title=Președintele PSD Liviu Dragnea: "PSD este cel mai mare partid de stânga din Europa. Se dorește o contraofensivă la Ungaria cu o țară unde guvernul e de stânga"|date=24 September 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.g4media.ro/partidul-lui-dacian-ciolos-se-pozitioneaza-la-centru-stanga-e-prima-provocare-pentru-electoratul-clasic-al-psd.html|title=Partidul lui Dacian Cioloş se poziţionează la centru-stânga. E prima provocare pentru electoratul clasic al PSD|date=31 March 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewfederalist.eu/top-30-partide-politice-din-romania|title = Top 30 partide politice din România|date = 10 October 2021}}}} but has also been described as pragmatic, owing to its syncretic politics.{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/pragmatism-is-a-winner-for-romanian-left-social-democrats-psd-corruption-scandal-liviu-dragnea-victor-ponta-elections/ |title=Pragmatism is a winner for Romanian Left |work=Politico |first=Carmen|last=Păun |date=13 December 2016|access-date=16 February 2019}} The party has been described as social democratic,{{cite web | last=Melenciuc | first=Sorin | title=BR Analysis. Money to spend only on wages and pensions? Romania's social spending enters danger zone above 60 pct of total budget, limiting room for response in case of economic downturn | website=Business Review | date=30 May 2018 | url=http://business-review.eu/br-exclusive/money-to-spend-only-for-wages-and-pensions-romanias-public-social-spending-reached-a-dangerous-zone-above-60-pct-of-total-budget-limiting-the-room-for-response-in-case-of-economic-downturn-171364 | access-date=17 October 2019}}{{cite web | title=2018 budget: Romania's Govt. plans to increase spending by 12% next year | website=Romania Insider | date=4 December 2017 | url=https://www.romania-insider.com/2018-budget-romania-increase-spending-2018 | access-date=17 October 2019}} social conservative,{{refn|{{cite web | first=Cornel | last=Ban | title=Romania: a social democratic anomaly in eastern Europe? | website=openDemocracy | date=12 December 2016 | url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/can-europe-make-it/romania-social-democratic-anomaly-in-eastern-europe/ | access-date=17 October 2019}}{{cite web | last=Dąborowski | first=Tomasz | title=The Social Democrats' triumph in Romania | website=OSW | date=14 December 2016 | url=https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2016-12-14/social-democrats-triumph-romania | access-date=17 October 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.revista22.ro/biserica-ortodoxa-romana-agent-electoral-al-psd-decaderea-morala-a-bisericii-conduse-de-patriarhul-daniel-50016.html |title=Biserica Ortodoxa Romana, AGENT ELECTORAL AL PSD. Decaderea morala a bisericii conduse de Patriarhul Daniel |website=www.revista22.ro |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909150510/https://www.revista22.ro/biserica-ortodoxa-romana-agent-electoral-al-psd-decaderea-morala-a-bisericii-conduse-de-patriarhul-daniel-50016.html |archive-date=9 September 2018 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gandul.info/stiri/alianta-bor-psd-operatiunea-bani-si-imobile-pentru-biserica-contra-voturi-pro-ponta-13532077|title = ALIANȚA BOR - PSD. Operațiunea bani și imobile pentru Biserică contra voturi pro Ponta|date = 13 November 2014}}{{Cite web|url=https://b1.ro/stiri/politica/biserica-ortodoxa-se-implica-in-campania-electorala-mitropolitul-ardealului-indeamna-enoriasii-sa-voteze-doar-cu-psd-sau-alde-video-169763.html|title = Biserica Ortodoxă se implică în campania electorală: Mitropolitul Ardealului îndeamnă enoriașii să voteze doar cu PSD sau ALDE (VIDEO)|date = December 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mediafax.ro/politic/dragnea-despre-impozitarea-veniturilor-bisericii-nu-sustin-cel-putin-sa-le-ajutam-sa-existe-gandul-sfantul-profit-al-bisericii-ortodoxe-ce-excedent-au-declarat-la-finante-eparhiile-bor-16587028|title=Dragnea, despre impozitarea veniturilor Bisericii: Nu susţin; Cel puţin să le ajutăm să existe/ Gândul: Sfântul profit al Bisericii Ortodoxe. Ce excedent au declarat la Finanţe eparhiile BOR|website=Mediafax.ro}}{{Cite web|url=https://ziare.com/gabriela-firea/primar-bucuresti/firea-da-inca-10-milioane-de-lei-pentru-catedrala-mantuirii-neamului-vezi-de-unde-se-iau-bani-la-rectificarea-bugetara-si-unde-se-duc-1522309|title=Firea da inca 10 milioane de lei pentru Catedrala Mantuirii Neamului: Vezi de unde se iau bani la rectificarea bugetara si unde se duc|website=Ziare.com}}}} economic nationalist,{{refn|{{cite web | url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/ciolacu-as-vrea-o-tendinta-mai-mare-catre-un-patriotism-economic-in-urmatorul-program-de-guvernare-2295693 | title=Ciolacu: Aș vrea o tendință mai mare către un patriotism economic în următorul program de guvernare | date=26 March 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.gandul.ro/politica/marcel-ciolacu-explica-ce-este-patriotismul-economic-propus-de-psd-19949799 | title=Marcel Ciolacu explică ce este "patriotismul economic" propus de PSD | date=27 March 2023 }}}} left-wing nationalist,{{refn|{{cite book|last1=Leiße|first1=Olaf|last2=Leiße|first2=Utta-Kristin|last3=Richter|first3=Alexander|title=Beitrittsbarometer Rumänien. Grundprobleme des Landes und Einstellungen rumänischer Jugendlicher auf dem Weg in die Europäische Union|publisher=Deutscher UniversitätsVerlag|location=Wiesbaden|orig-year=2004|year=2013|isbn=978-3322813206|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tQYlBgAAQBAJ&q=PSD+links-&pg=PP1|chapter=3.3 Parteien und politische Entwicklung|language=de|page=51}}{{cite news |url=https://www.dw.com/de/rum%C3%A4nien-f%C3%BChrt-steuer-gegen-gier-ein/a-46837523|title=Rumänien führt 'Steuer gegen Gier' ein |work=Deutsche Welle|date=22 December 2018|access-date=18 February 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.dw.com/de/rum%C3%A4nien-f%C3%BChrt-steuer-gegen-gier-ein/a-46837523|title=Rumänien führt "Steuer gegen Gier" ein |work=Deutsche Welle|date=22 December 2018|access-date=18 February 2019}}{{cite web|first=Daniel|last=Mihăilescu|url=https://diepresse.com/home/ausland/aussenpolitik/5552116/Rumaenien-startet-EURatsvorsitz-mit-neuer-Attacke-gegen-Justizsystem|title=Rumänien startet EU-Ratsvorsitz mit neuer Attacke gegen Justizsystem|website=Die Presse|year=2019|access-date=19 February 2019}}}}, and left-wing populist.{{refn|{{cite news | last1=Bossart | first1=Marco Kauffmann | title=Rumäniens Justiz im Belagerungszustand | newspaper=Neue Zürcher Zeitung | date=21 February 2018 | url=https://www.nzz.ch/international/rumaeniens-justiz-im-belagerungszustand-ld.1357693 | language=de | access-date=17 October 2019}}{{cite book|last1=Beichelt|first1=Timm|title=Demokratische Konsolidierung im postsozialistischen Europa: Die Rolle der politischen Institutionen|publisher=Springer-Verlag|orig-year=2001|year=2013|isbn=978-3322813206|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-1byBQAAQBAJ&q=linkspopulistisch+rum%C3%A4nien&pg=PA299|chapter=6.1.1 Strukturelle Kontextbindungen|language=de|page=299}}{{cite web | last=Krökel | first=Ulrich | title=Aufgefallen: Der stille Anführer | website=Publik-Forum.de | date=10 March 2017 | url=https://www.publik-forum.de/Publik-Forum-05-2017/der-stille-anfuehrer | language=de | access-date=17 October 2019}}}} The PSD was formed as a result of the merger of the Romanian Social Democratic Party (PSDR), which had an internationalist social-democratic ideology, with the Party of Social Democracy in Romania (PDSR), whose governance was marked by a combination of social democracy, democratic socialism, labourism, pragmatism, left-wing populism, and nationalism.{{Cite web |title=Partiti, elezioni e mobilitazione politica nella romania post-comunista (1989-2000) |url=http://www.regione.toscana.it/documents/10180/452241/partiti%20elezioni%20-%20Q50/9bd72f76-8f3b-4cd5-9931-5deeb1fc3154 |website=Regione Toscana}} The 2003 absorption of the Socialist Party of Labour (PSM) and the Socialist Party of the National Renaissance (PSRN) led to the strengthening of the left-wing nationalism component within the party.{{Cite web|url=http://adevarul.ro/news/politica/psd-fuzioneaza-psm-1_50abb4537c42d5a6637eeaa6/index.html|title = PSD fuzioneaza cu PSM| date=5 July 2003 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.evz.ro/detalii/stiri/tovarasii-string-rindurile-621604.html#selection-1123.0-1123.26 |title=Tovarasii string rindurile > EVZ.ro |website=www.evz.ro |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130705233635/http://www.evz.ro/detalii/stiri/tovarasii-string-rindurile-621604.html#selection-1123.0-1123.26 |archive-date=5 July 2013 |url-status=dead}} Until 2021{{cite web | title=Romania | website=Europe Elects | date=17 May 2018 | url=https://europeelects.eu/european-union/romania/ | access-date=17 October 2019}}{{cite web | first=Kit | last=Gilet | title=Romania, Fighting the E.U., Prepares to Lead It | website=The New York Times | date=30 December 2018 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/30/world/europe/eu-presidency-romania.html | access-date=17 October 2019}} unlike the majority of Western European PES party members and as other like-minded centre-left, social democratic parties in Central and Eastern European post-Communism, it has taken a more soft Eurosceptic{{cite web | last=Gurzu | first=Anca | title=Romania's rulers take Euroskeptic turn | website=Politico | date=13 March 2019 | url=https://www.politico.eu/article/romanias-rulers-take-euroskeptic-turn/ | access-date=17 October 2019}} outlook,{{cite web | first= Sergiu | last=Gherghina | title=Friends or Foes? Romania and the Council Presidency | date=25 February 2019 | website=Europa Nu | url=https://www.europa-nu.nl/id/vkw8cuqf4jqw/nieuws/friends_or_foes_romania_and_the_council | access-date=17 October 2019}}{{cite web | title=Val de atacuri ale lui Dragnea la adresa UE: Noi nu am fost coloniști. Problema e că vin peste noi | website=Digi24 | date=12 April 2019 | url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/val-de-atacuri-ale-lui-dragnea-la-adresa-ue-noi-nu-am-fost-colonisti-problema-e-ca-vin-peste-noi-1112298 | language=ro | access-date=17 October 2019}} though it is neutral in regards to European integration.{{cite web | title=Romania | website=Europe Elects | date=2021 | url=https://europeelects.eu/european-union/romania/ | access-date=23 October 2021}} PSD stated that it endorses EU and NATO membership.{{Cite web|url=https://inpolitics.ro/familia-politica-traditionala-sau-un-referendum-pentru-rebranduirea-psd-si-pnl_18440554.html|title=Familia (Politica) traditionala sau un referendum pentru rebranduirea PSD si PNL|date=30 September 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.caleaeuropeana.ro/exclusiv-adrian-nastase-cum-a-intrat-romania-in-nato-si-ue-fara-sa-supere-rusia-ce-avantaje-am-ratat-la-zece-ani-de-la-tratatul-de-aderare-la-ue/|title = Exclusiv Adrian Năstase: Cum a Intrat România În Nato Și Ue Fără Să Supere Rusia. Ce Avantaje Am Ratat la Zece Ani de la Tratatul de Aderare la Ue?|date = 28 April 2015}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/romanian/040130150104.shtml|title = BBC în limba română | Forum | //}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.caleaeuropeana.ro/fostul-presedinte-ion-iliescu-uniunea-europeana-nu-poate-fi-tap-ispasitor-pentru-egoismul-si-iresponsabilitatea-unor-lideri-politici-de-la-bucuresti-sau-de-la-bruxelles/|title = Fostul președinte Ion Iliescu: "Uniunea Europeană nu poate fi țap ispășitor pentru egoismul şi iresponsabilitatea unor lideri politici de la București sau de la Bruxelles"|date = 13 January 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/10-ani-in-ue-ion-iliescu-succesul-ue-vital-pentru-reducerea-decalajelor-care-separa-romania-de-occident-641836|title=10 ani în UE | Ion Iliescu: Succesul UE, vital pentru reducerea decalajelor care separă România de Occident|website=www.digi24.ro|date=January 2017 }} The party is more conservative than PES when it comes to social issues,{{cite web|url=https://www.romania-insider.com/senate-referendum-traditional-family|title=Romanian Senate adopts referendum for traditional family|website=Romania Insider|date=12 September 2018|access-date=23 October 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://ziaristii.com/psd-aduce-artileria-grea-biserica-ortodoxa-e-aruncata-lupta-electorala-cu-nicio-luna-inaintea-alegerilor-prelatii-publica-un-decalog-pentru-enoriasi/|title=PSD aduce artileria grea: Biserica Ortodoxă e aruncată în lupta electorală. 'Decalog' pentru enoriașii alegători|website=Ziaristii|language=ro|date=10 November 2020|access-date=23 October 2021}} reflecting the country's social-conservative outlook,{{cite web|last=Ciobanu|first=Claudia|date=6 October 2017|url=http://www.politico.eu/article/romania-gay-marriage-turns-illiberal-with-moves-against/|title=Romania 'turns illiberal' with moves against gay marriage|website=Politico|access-date=23 October 2021}} including in its centre-right counterpart, the National Liberal Party (PNL).

The party has been described as having centre-left rhetoric and economic policies, while being more conservative on personal and ethical matters. According to Florin Poenaru, "the movement led by Ion Iliescu was from the very beginning the party of local capitalists and not of the industrial proletariat. ... PSD was the party that aggregated the interests of the autochthonous capitalists, but whose electoral basis was the former industrial proletariat."{{cite book|first=Florin|last=Poenaru|title=Locuri comune: clasă, anticomunism, stânga|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=obWJswEACAAJ|year=2017|publisher=Editura Tact|isbn=978-606-8437-84-2}} apud {{cite web | first = Alex |last = Cistelecan | title= Materialismul evanescent | website = revistavatra.org | date=29 May 2017 | url=https://revistavatra.org/2017/05/29/alex-cistelecan-materialismul-evanescent/ | language=ro | access-date=4 December 2018}} Poenaru states that PSD never said no to the neoliberal agenda but applied it rather slowly. Andrei Pleșu once stated that the main post-Communist Romanian parties do not act according to some ideology or doctrine.{{cite journal | first1=Andrei | last1=Pleșu | first2=Cristian | last2=Pătrășconiu | journal=Revista 22 PLUS | issue=301 | title=Orice doctrină devine periculoasă când se transformă în ideologie | date=31 August 2010 | url=https://revista22.ro/supliment/22-plus-nr-301-orice-doctrin259-devine-periculoas259-cand-se-transform259-in-ideologie | language=ro | access-date=17 October 2019}}

Political analyst Radu Magdin said that the PSD is "a catch-all party: its values are conservative, its economic policy is liberal and it has a social, left-leaning rhetoric when it comes to public policies." An example is their calls for both tax cuts and pensions and wages increase in 2016. Its more conservative outlook is owed to the social-conservative nature of post-Communist countries, and has been adopted by both the centre-left (PSD) and the centre-right (PNL).{{Cite web|url=https://www.mediafax.ro/politic/ion-cristoiu-iohannis-a-impus-o-atitudine-de-ura-fata-de-biserica-pentru-a-castiga-din-electoratul-usrplus-19764059|title=Ion Cristoiu: Iohannis a impus o atitudine de ură faţă de Biserică pentru a câştiga din electoratul USRPLUS|website=Mediafax.ro}} For Cornel Ban, Assistant Professor of International Relations at the Pardee School of Boston University, the PSD is an anomaly in Eastern Europe in that it was an ideal playground for right-wing populist parties but has seen the political left routinely win; this was in part because the political right and far-right were in government, including at the local level, during the post-Communist slumps which remained in the mind of many voters. Journalist Jean-Baptiste Chastand said that the PSD-led pro-European government in Romania took a national conservative turn.{{cite news|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2018/12/31/la-roumanie-sur-la-voie-de-la-hongrie-et-de-la-pologne_5403800_3210.html|title = La Roumanie sur la voie de la Hongrie et de la Pologne|newspaper = Le Monde.fr|date = 31 December 2018}} The historian Ioan Stanomir stated that PSD is a conservative party, that has nothing to do with the left,{{cite news| url = https://www.la-croix.com/Monde/Europe/Ioan-Stanomir-La-Roumanie-grand-probleme-damnesie-2017-03-09-1200830689| title = Ioan Stanomir : " La Roumanie a un grand problème d'amnésie "| newspaper = La Croix| date = 9 March 2017}} while journalist Bogdan Tiberiu Iacob described the party as progressive-conservative. PSD also opposed the mandatory refugee quotas.{{Cite web|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/externe/mapamond/sef-psd-diaspora-nu-trebuie-sa-primim-refugiati-436253|title=Şef PSD Diaspora: Nu trebuie să primim refugiaţi|website=www.digi24.ro|date=9 September 2015 }}{{Cite web|url = https://www.rfi.ro/politica-81133-ana-birchall-psd-cotele-obligatorii-de-distribuire-imigrantilor-ar-fi-o-mare-greseala|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150919184109/http://www.rfi.ro/politica-81133-ana-birchall-psd-cotele-obligatorii-de-distribuire-imigrantilor-ar-fi-o-mare-greseala|url-status = dead|archive-date = 19 September 2015|title = Ana Birchall (PSD): Cotele obligatorii de distribuire a imigranţilor ar fi o mare greşeală|date = 8 September 2015}}{{Cite web|url=https://ziare.com/liviu-dragnea/psd/dragnea-parca-nu-as-vrea-sa-vad-mii-de-imigranti-pe-strazile-bucurestiului-1381289|title = Dragnea: Parca nu as vrea sa vad mii de imigranti pe strazile Bucurestiului}} Journalist Daniel Mihăilescu labeled the party as national populist.{{Cite web|url=https://www.diepresse.com/5552116/rumaenien-startet-eu-ratsvorsitz-mit-neuer-attacke-gegen-justizsystem|title = Rumänien startet EU-Ratsvorsitz mit neuer Attacke gegen Justizsystem|date = 27 December 2018}} Deutsche Welle stated that, unlike most European Social-democratic parties, PSD is against social progressivism and is strongly conservative.{{cite web | url=https://www.dw.com/ro/ciolacu-%C3%AEntre-patriotismul-economic-%C8%99i-ajutorul-divin/a-65904409 | title=Ciolacu între "patriotismul economic" și "ajutorul divin" – DW – 13.06.2023 | website=Deutsche Welle }} Journalist and philosipher Andrei Cornea also stated that PSD is not a social-democratic party, but a patrimonial-conservative one, structured around vassalism and clientelism, whose essential electoral pool is formed by a poor, ignorant and especially devoid of civic conscience.{{cite web | url=https://revista22.ro/opinii/andrei-cornea/este-psd-un-partid-social-democrat | title=Este PSD un partid social-democrat? | Revista 22 | date=4 April 2017 }} PSD has also ethno-nationalist factions.{{cite web | url=https://emerging-europe.com/from-the-editor/romanias-wake-up-call/ | title=What's behind the sudden rise of a far-right party in Romania? | date=8 December 2020 }} Under Dragnea's leadership, PSD has been described as national populist and sovereigntist.{{cite news | url=https://romania.europalibera.org/a/psd-se-inscrie-in-randul-populistilor-europeni-de-la-vorbele-din-discurs-la-faptele-transpuse-in-legi/29941786.html | title=PSD se înscrie între populiștii suveraniști europeni. De la vorbele din discurs la faptele transpuse în legi | newspaper=Europa Liberă România | date=15 May 2019 | last1=Rădulescu | first1=Adelina }}{{Cite web | url=https://moldova.europalibera.org/a/de-ce-nu-este-psd-un-partid-de-st%C3%A2nga/29414714.html | title=De ce nu este PSD un partid de stânga? | language=ro | trans-title=Why is PSD not a left-wing party? | website=moldova.europalibera.org}} The PopuList labeled PSD under Victor Ponta and Liviu Dragnea as "nationalist, economically liberal, socially conservative".{{Cite web | title=Analiză {{!}} Fragilizarea democrației. Extremismul și populismul pe cai mari în Europa. Riscul AUR pentru România | url=https://romania.europalibera.org/a/analiz%C4%83-fragilizarea-democra%C8%9Biei-extremismul-%C8%99i-populismul-pe-cai-mari-%C3%AEn-europa-riscul-aur-pentru-rom%C3%A2nia/32710955.html | access-date=2024-12-25 | website=romania.europalibera.org}}

In regards to LGBT rights, in general, PSD opposes the recognition of same-sex marriages and civil partnerships. However, in 2018, then PSD president Liviu Dragnea hinted that PSD could support the recognition the civil partnership.{{cite web | url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-22363666-dragnea-vrea-lanseze-dezbatere-despre-legiferarea-parteneriatului-civil-minoritate-care-nu-putem-face-nu-vedem-sau-nu-exista.htm | title=Dragnea vrea să lanseze o dezbatere despre legiferarea parteneriatului civil: E o minoritate pe care nu ne putem face că nu o vedem sau că nu există | date=26 March 2018 }}{{cite web | url=https://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/politic/dragnea-despre-proiectul-legii-pentru-parteneriatul-civil-eventual-facem-referendum.html | title=Dragnea, despre proiectul Legii pentru parteneriatul civil. "Eventual facem referendum" }}{{cite news | url=https://moldova.europalibera.org/a/29213280.html | title=Liviu Dragnea: Parteneriatul civil între persoanele de același sex trebuie legiferat în România | newspaper=Radio Europa Liberă | date=7 May 2018 | last1=Moldova | first1=Europa Liberă }} Also, in January 2001, it was the PSD-dominated Adrian Năstase's government that adopted the Emergency Ordinance no. 89/2001,{{in lang|ro}} [http://lege5.ro/Gratuit/gmzdanrr/ordonanta-de-urgenta-nr-89-2001-pentru-modificarea-si-completarea-unor-dispozitii-din-codul-penal-referitoare-la-infractiuni-privind-viata-sexuala Ordonanța de urgență nr. 89/2001 pentru modificarea și completarea unor dispoziții din Codul penal referitoare la infracțiuni privind viața sexuală] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220205108/https://lege5.ro/Gratuit/gmzdanrr/ordonanta-de-urgenta-nr-89-2001-pentru-modificarea-si-completarea-unor-dispozitii-din-codul-penal-referitoare-la-infractiuni-privind-viata-sexuala |date=20 December 2018 }}, text published in the Official Gazette of Romania which eliminated Art. 200 of the Penal Code and adjusted other articles referring to sex offences to avoid discriminatory treatment of offenders, thus legalising same-sex relations.{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-3ihAwAAQBAJ&q=lgbt+rights+in+romania&pg=PA58 |chapter=Hierarchies of Difference: National Identity, Gay and Lesbian Rights, and the Church in Postcommunist Romania |title=Sexuality and Gender in Postcommunist Eastern Europe and Russia |author=Voichița Năchescu |publisher=Routledge |date=22 May 2014 |page=58 |isbn=978-1-317-95559-7}} This ordinance came into force in January 2002, after President Ion Iliescu (the founder of PSD) signed the new law.{{Cite web| title=From legal tolerance to social acceptance: predictors of heterosexism in Romania | first=Viviana | last=Andreescu | url=http://www.revistadesociologie.ro/pdf-uri/nr3-4-2011/02-VAndreescu.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808212340/http://www.revistadesociologie.ro/pdf-uri/nr3-4-2011/02-VAndreescu.pdf | archive-date=2016-08-08}} However, the current president of the Social Democrats, Marcel Ciolacu, is a strong opponent to the recognition of same-sex marriage and the civil partnership.{{cite web | url=https://www.g4media.ro/marcel-ciolacu-despre-decizia-cedo-referitoare-la-parteneriatul-civil-nu-este-pregatita-societatea-romaneasca-europa-fm.html | title=Marcel Ciolacu, despre decizia CEDO referitoare la parteneriatul civil: Nu este pregătită societatea românească - Europa FM | date=23 November 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.news.ro/social/ciolacu-despre-decizia-cedo-referitoare-la-parteneriatul-civil-intre-persoane-de-acelasi-sex-societatea-romaneasca-inca-nu-e-pregatita-nu-este-nici-prima-nici-ultima-care-condamna-1922400623002023111921396670 | title=Ciolacu, despre decizia CEDO referitoare la parteneriatul civil între persoane de acelaşi sex: Societatea românească încă nu e pregătită. Nu este nici prima, nici ultima care condamnă | date=23 November 2023 }}

The party has strong connections with the Romanian Orthodox Church (BOR), reflecting the party's social conservatism.

The president of the party conducts the general activity of the party, the activity of the National Executive Committee and the National Permanent Bureau and responds to the Congress on the general work of the PSD. The president is elected by secret vote by the Congress for a four-year mandate and represents the party in the Romanian society, in relations with the central and local public authorities, as well as with other parties or organizations in the country or abroad.

PSD Honorary President is nominated by Congress for the four-year mandate of the party's recognized personalities. The Honorary President of the PSD participates with the right to vote in the work of the national governing bodies.

The Secretary-General manages the functional services at the central level and the relationship with the county and Bucharest organizations. It coordinates the Executive Secretariat of the PSD with 7 to 9 executive secretaries. Executive secretaries shall be appointed by the National Executive Committee, on a proposal from the chair, after consulting the Secretary-General.

The Permanent National Bureau is the operative body for analyzing and deciding the party. It has the following composition: PSD President, PSD Honorary President, PSD Secretary General, PSD Deputy Chairpersons. At the National Permanent Bureau, the chairman of the National Council, the leaders of the parliamentary groups, the presidents of women and youth organizations, the treasurer, the director of the Social Democratic Institute, the representative of the county administrative council presidents, the mayors of municipalities and the representative of the National League of Mayors and PSD Councilors participate. The National Permanent Bureau meets weekly, usually Monday.

The Permanent National Bureau have the following duties:

• To organize and direct the entire activity of the party according to the decisions adopted as appropriate by the Congress, the National Council, and the National Executive Committee.
• Drafts draft decisions that it submits to the debate and adoption of the National Executive Committee.
• Orientates the work of parliamentary groups.
• Establishes and coordinates working committees on doctrine, electoral programs, and strategies.
• Establishes and co-ordinates political analysis groups of the economic, social, domestic and international situation.
• Manages the party's patrimony.

Coordinates the entire activity of the party between the meetings of the National Council. The PSD National Executive Committee analyzes, debates and decides on the fundamental issues of the Party's work on: the program, the electoral strategy, the political and electoral alliances, the governing program, the structure and the nominal composition of the Government, the validation of the party's preliminary election for the nomination of candidates for senators, MEPs, MEPs, and elected local, merging by absorption or merging with other parties; PSD collaboration agreements with trade unions and employers' confederations; the strategy of selecting, preparing, training and promoting the party's human resources, organizing and conducting internal party choices, coordinating the activities of the Youth Organization and the Women's Organization.

The adopted decisions are validated by the National Council. The National Executive Committee consists of PSD President, PSD Honorary President, PSD Secretary General, PSD Vice Presidents, President of the National Council, Presidents of County Organizations, Sectors and the Bucharest Municipality Organization, the president of the Women's Organization and the president of the Youth Organization.

File:Adrian Nastase la Consiliul National al PSD (10776937183).jpg during a meeting of the National Council in November 2013]]

The National Council is the governing body of the party in the interval between two congresses. It consists of a maximum of 751 members elected from the candidates nominated by the County and Bucharest Conferences, or proposed by the Congress. The National Council elects and revokes by secret vote the president of the National Council and the treasurer, validates the composition of the National Executive Committee and The Permanent National Bureau; decides to conclude political alliances as well as merge by merging or absorbing with other political parties or political parties; to hear the activity reports submitted by members of the Permanent National Bureau, by the Chairman of the Commission for Arbitration and Moral Integrity, by the president of the National Commission for Financial Control and Treasurer and decides accordingly on the basis of the mandate given by the Congress, according to the provisions of the Statute; is responsible for organizing presidential, parliamentary, euro-parliamentary and local electoral campaigns; analyzes the work of parliamentary groups, women's and youth organizations, the National League of Mayors and PSD Councilors; validates the decisions of the National Executive Committee on the Governance Program and confirms the proposals of members of the Government; resolve the appeals lodged against the decisions of the councils of the county organizations or of the Bucharest municipality; resolves the divergences between the Councils of the County Organizations, respectively the Bucharest Municipality Organization and the National Executive Committee in connection with the nomination of the candidates for the legislative elections, if they persist; approves the party's annual revenue and expenditure budget, decides on its execution.

The PSD National Council meets annually and whenever needed. Deputies, senators and MEPs who are not members of the National Council participate in its meetings without the right to vote. The National Council may decide, on a proposal from the Permanent National Bureau, to organize forums, leagues, associations, clubs and other such bodies for the promotion of strategies in the PSD Political Program, in the Romanian society and in partnership with the trade unions. The party-union relationship as well as the concrete ways of collaboration will be established by the National Permanent Bureau. Within the PSD there are: the National Workers' Forum; National Farmers Forum; National Ecologists' Forum; The National Forum of Scientists, Culture and Art and the Pensioners' League. In order to develop PSD programs and strategies in the field of party life, consultative councils can be set up on: political analysis, image and relations with the media; organization and human resources. The Consultative Council for the Problems of National Minorities of the PSD carries out activities to identify the specific problems faced by national minorities in Romania and develops appropriate solutions and proposals for their resolution.

The supreme governing party of the Social Democratic Party is the Congress, which is convened every four years or in extraordinary cases. The PSD Congress is made up of elected delegates by secret ballot by the County Conferences and the Bucharest Municipality and has the following attributions: adopting or modifying the PSD Statute and the Political Program of the Party; sets out the party's guidelines, strategy and tactics for the period between two congresses; elects the party chairman, the vice-presidents, the general secretary, the other members of the National Council, the National Commission for Arbitration and Moral Integrity and the National Commission for Financial Control; appoints the PSD candidate to the position of President of Romania and the prime minister in the event of winning the elections; resolves possible appeals against decisions of other PSD central bodies.

{{legend|red|Also served as President of Romania|outline=silver}}

{{legend|#FA8072|Also served as Prime Minister|outline=silver}}

{{legend|#FF6347|Also served as Chamber President|outline=silver}}

{{legend|#F08080|Also served as Senate President|outline=silver}}

; Notes

¹ Năstase served twice as Chamber President, the first term from March 1992 to May 1996, while the second from December 2004 to March 2006.

• Oliviu Gherman: 1992–1996 (FDSN/PDSR);
• Ion Iliescu: 1992, 1997–2000 (PDSR);
• Adrian Năstase: 2000–2005 (acting/ad interim until 2001) (PDSR/PSD);
• Mircea Geoană: 2005–2010 (PSD);
• Victor Ponta: 2010–2015 (PSD);
• Rovana Plumb: 2015 (acting/ad interim) (PSD);
• Liviu Dragnea: 2015–2019 (PSD);
• Viorica Dăncilă: 2019 (PSD);
• Marcel Ciolacu: 2019–present (acting/ad interim until 2020) (PSD).

• Adrian Năstase: 1993–1997;
• position abolished 1997–2003;
• Octav Cozmâncă: 2003–2005;
• Adrian Năstase: 2005–2006;
• {{ill|Dan Mircea Popescu|ro}}: 2005–2006, when the office was dissolved (nominated acting/ad interim after the resignation of Adrian Năstase from the office);
• position abolished 2006–2013;
• Liviu Dragnea: 2013–2015;
• Valeriu Zgonea: 2015–2016;
• {{ill|Niculae Bădălău|ro}}: 2016–2018;
• Viorica Dăncilă: 2018–2019;
• Paul Stănescu: 2019 (acting/ad interim);
• Eugen Teodorovici: 2019;
• position abolished: 2019–present.

• Ion Iliescu, founder of the party the party FDSN which then became PDSR and ultimately as PSD, former president of Romania, and Honorary President of PSD;
• Nicolae Văcăroiu, former prime minister of Romania;
• Alexandru Athanasiu, former acting prime minister;
• Viorel Hrebenciuc, former deputy;
• Eugen Bejinariu, former acting prime minister;
• Ilie Sârbu, former president of the Senate;
• Paul Stănescu, former deputy prime minister as well as Minister of Regional Development;
• Ecaterina Andronescu, former Minister of Education;
• Marcel Ciolacu, current president of the party since 2019 onwards;
• Gabriela Firea, former mayor of Bucharest;
• Titus Corlățean, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Justice;
• Rovana Plumb, MEP, Minister of Environment, Minister of Labour;
• Mihai Tudose, former prime minister of Romania;
• Sorin Grindeanu, former prime minister of Romania;
• Mihai Fifor, former acting prime minister of Romania;
• Dan Nica, former deputy and current MEP;
• Lia Olguța Vasilescu, Mayor of Craiova, Minister of Labour;
• Alexandru Rafila, current Health Minister.

• Gabriel Oprea, former army general (now general in army reserves), former Minister of National Defence, former deputy prime minister of Romania, former Minister of Internal Affairs, former acting prime minister of Romania;
• Corina Crețu, former European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms;
• Viorica Dăncilă, former president of the party, former prime minister of Romania;
• Adrian Năstase, former president of the party, former prime minister of Romania as well as former Minister of Foreign Affairs;
• Ilie Năstase, former No. 1 tennis player
• Teodor Meleșcanu, former Minister of Defence, former acting Minister of Justice, former Director of the Foreign Intelligence; Service (SRI), former Minister of Foreign Affairs three times, former president of the Senate;
• Robert Negoiță, former mayor of the 3rd Sector of Bucharest;
• Mircea Geoană, former president of the party, former president of the Senate as well as former Minister of Foreign Affairs;
• Sorin Oprescu, former mayor of Bucharest;
• Marian Vanghelie, former mayor of the 5th Sector of Bucharest;
• Radu Mazăre, former mayor of Constanța;
• Victor Ponta, former president of the party as well as former prime minister of Romania;
• Valeriu Zgonea, former president of the Chamber of Deputies;
• Liviu Dragnea, former president of the party as well as former president of the Chamber of Deputies;
• Oliviu Gherman, former president of the party as well as former president of the Chamber of Deputies;
• Șerban Valeca, acting president of the Senate;
• Hildegard Puwak, former Minister for European Integration;
• Antonie Iorgovan, lead author of the 1991 Romanian Constitution;
• Sebastian Ghiță, former member of the Chamber of Deputies;
• Cristian Diaconescu, former State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, former Minister of Justice, former Minister of Foreign Affairs twice.

; Notes:

¹Social Democratic Pole of Romania members: PDSR, PSDR (2 senators and 10 deputies), and PUR (4 senators and 6 deputies).

²National Union PSD+PUR members: PSD and PUR (11 senators and 19 deputies).

³Soon after the elections, PUR broke the alliance with the PSD and switched sides, joining the government led by the Justice and Truth Alliance (DA).

⁴Alliance PSD+PC members: PSD and PC (1 senator and 4 deputies).

⁵The Social Liberal Union (USL) was an alliance consisting of two smaller alliances, more specifically the Centre Left Alliance (ACS) and the Centre Right Alliance (ACD). The members of the Centre Left Alliance (ACS) were the PSD and the UNPR (5 senators and 10 deputies) whereas the members of the Centre Right Alliance (ACD) were the PNL (50 senators and 100 deputies) and the PC (8 senators and 13 deputies).

; Note:

¹Independent candidate endorsed by the USL

; Notes:

¹Alliance PSD+PC members: PSD and PC (1 MEP).

²Social Democratic Union (USD) members: PSD, PC (2 MEPs), and UNPR (2 MEPs).

³National Coalition for Romania members: PSD (11 MEPs) and PNL (8 MEPs).

Political opponents have criticised PSD for harbouring former Romanian Communist Party (PCR) officials, and for allegedly attempting to control the Romanian mass media. By 2009, a number of its incumbent or former senior members have also been accused of corruption, interfering in the judiciary and using their political positions for personal enrichment.{{cite web|first=Robert|last=Mihăilescu|date=3 December 2009|url=http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-6606961-ion-caramitru-demisioneaza-din-conducerea-pntcd-sefii-psd-fosti-nomenclaturisti-sau-copiii-lor-sunt-tarati-originea-comunista-nu-cred-moartea-comunismului-prin-comunisti.htm|title=Ion Caramitru demisioneaza din conducerea PNTCD: Sefii PSD, fosti nomenclaturisti sau copiii lor, sunt tarati de originea comunista. Nu cred in moartea comunismului prin comunisti|work=HotNewsRo|access-date=10 June 2015}} As of 2015, founding member Ion Iliescu is facing prosecution on charges of crimes against humanity for his role in the June 1990 Mineriad,{{cite web | title=Romania ex-leader in 1990 deaths case | website=BBC News | date=21 October 2015 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34594391 | access-date=17 October 2019}} while former president Liviu Dragnea was convicted for electoral fraud and for instigation to the abuse of public office and being indicted for forming an "organised criminal group" in 2018.{{cite news | title=Alarming attempts to undermine Romanian democracy - Nobbling the nobblers | newspaper=The Economist | date=8 February 2018 | url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2018/02/08/alarming-attempts-to-undermine-romanian-democracy | language=en | access-date=17 October 2019}} That same year, former president Victor Ponta had also been investigated for corruption but was ultimately acquitted.{{cite web | first=Luiza | last=Ilie| website=Reuters | title=Bucharest court acquits former Romanian PM in graft case | date=10 May 2018 | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-romania-corruption-idUSKBN1IB2KN | access-date=17 October 2019}} Adrian Năstase temporarily self-suspended himself from the position on 16 January 2006, pending investigation of a scandal provoked by his wealth declaration, where he was accused of corruption.{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-arhiva-1193735-adrian-nastase-autosuspendat-din-conducerea-psd.htm|title=Adrian Nastase s-a autosuspendat din conducerea PSD|work=HotNewsRo|date=16 January 2006|access-date=10 June 2015}} Alleged text transcripts of PSD meetings surfaced on an anonymous website just before the 2004 Romanian general election. Năstase and his ministers are shown talking about political involvement in corruption trials of the government's members, or involvement in suppressing "disobedient" media. Năstase stated that the transcripts were fake, but several party members, including former PSD president and former foreign minister Mircea Geoană, have said they are genuine, though Geoană later retracted his statement.{{cite web|first=Ovidiu|last=Banches|date=17 August 2005|url=http://www.9am.ro/stiri-revista-presei/2005-08-17/geoana-stenogramele-si-reformarea-psd.html|title=Geoana, stenogramele si reformarea PSD|work=9AM|access-date=10 June 2015}} Security expert Iulian Fota stated that PSD is a neocommunist anti-Western party backed by Russia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.podul.ro/articol/7733/felul-in-care-psd-a-facut-jocurile-rusiei-din-1989-incoace-reflectat-de-un-expert-in-securitate-nationala-10-august-2018-face-parte-din-planul-ex-pcr-ului-care-ne-conduce|title=Felul în care PSD a făcut jocurile Rusiei din 1989 încoace, reflectat de un expert în securitate națională: 10 august 2018 parte din planul ex-PCR-ului care ne conduce|date=28 October 2019}}

Politicians of the party have occasionally employed "utilitarian anti-Semitism", meaning that politicians who may usually not be antisemites played off certain antisemitic prejudices in order to serve their political necessities.{{Citation |first=Michael |last=Shafir |title=Memories, Memorials and Membership: Romanian Utilitarian Anti-Semitism and Marshal Antonescu |work=Romania Since 1989: Politics, Economics, and Society |publisher=Lexington Books |year=2004 |page=71}} On 5 March 2012, PSD Senator Dan Șova, at that time the party spokesman, said on The Money Channel that "no Jew suffered on Romanian territory, thanks to marshal Antonescu."{{cite web|url=http://www.ejpress.org/article/56651|title=Romanian MP stirs outcry with Holocaust comment|publisher=European Jewish Press|access-date=2012-03-07|date=2012-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308174512/http://ejpress.org/article/56651|archive-date=2012-03-08|url-status=dead}} Elie Wiesel National Institute for Studying the Holocaust in Romania expressed its deep disagreement and indignation over the statements of the spokesman of the party.{{cite web|url=http://www.actmedia.eu/top+story/%26%2339%3Belie+wiesel%26%2339%3B+institute+in+romania+criticizes+senator+sova+for+statements+made+on+a+tv+channel+/38583|title='Elie Wiesel' Institute in Romania criticizes Senator Sova for statements made on a TV channel|publisher=actmedia.eu|access-date=2012-03-07}} {{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Following public outcry, Șova retracted his statement and issued a public apology; nevertheless, the chairman of the party, Victor Ponta, announced his removal from the office of party spokesman.{{cite web|url=http://www.punkto.ro/articles/Sozi-Chef_Ponta_enthebt_Parteisprecher_Sova_zeitweilig_des_Amtes_wegen_Holocaust-Leugnung-3776.html|title=Sozi-Chef Ponta enthebt Parteisprecher Sova zeitweilig des Amtes wegen Holocaust-Leugnung|publisher=punkto.ro|language=de|access-date=2012-03-07}} {{Dead link|date=December 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Between 2017 and 2019, the party, along with its former junior coalition partners, more specifically the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE) and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR/RMDSZ), had unsuccessfully tried to pass a series of tremendously controversial laws related to the judicial system. In a 2018 preliminary opinion, the Venice Commission stated that the changes could severely undermine the independence of judges and prosecutors in Romania.{{cite web | title=Romania: Proposed reforms could undermine independence of judges and prosecutors according to Venice Commission | website=coe.int | date=13 July 2018 | url=https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/romania-proposed-reforms-could-undermine-independence-of-judges-and-prosecutors-according-to-venice-commission | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719063615/https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/romania-proposed-reforms-could-undermine-independence-of-judges-and-prosecutors-according-to-venice-commission | archive-date=19 July 2018 | url-status=dead | access-date=17 October 2019}} This unsuccessful endeavour committed by the former PSD–ALDE coalition was the basis for the nationwide 2017–2019 Romanian protests,{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.eu/article/romanians-protest-government-plan-to-commute-sentences/|title=Romanians protest government plan to commute sentences|work=Politico|author=Carmen Paun|date=22 January 2017}} the largest in the country's entire history thus far.{{cite news|last=Ilie|first=Luiza|date=10 February 2017|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-romania-corruption-activists-idUSKBN15P1KA|title='We see you' – Romanian activists become potent political force|work=Reuters|access-date=24 October 2021}}

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