It is expected to be a close result when Romanian voters go to the polls on Sunday to choose a new president.
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu of the Social Democratic Party, PSD, is the favorite to win the first round. But none of the 14 nominated candidates is expected to achieve an absolute majority.
This is written by the news agency dpa.
This will probably necessitate a second round of elections on 8 December.
According to Euronews, Ciolacu has said that he has “a clear plan for a more developed Romania that leaves no one behind, a plan based on economic growth and investment and a plan for a more respected and influential Romania abroad”.
In a second election round, Ciolacu is expected to face George Simion from the right-wing party AUR. Some polls point to Simion as a runner-up in the first round.
Simion has openly declared his support for the incoming US President Donald Trump.
According to the party itself, AUR’s values are “family, nation, faith and freedom”.
According to Euronews, Simion has said that he wants to give the Romanians a government that “makes rules instead of accepting rules”.
According to The Guardian, Simion – if elected – will introduce a more critical approach to the EU, which will be inspired by Hungary.
Other polls point to a shared second place between the candidate from the liberal conservative party USR, Elena Lasconi, and Nicolae Ciuca from the current governing party PNL.
The President of Romania is elected for a five-year term and manages the country’s foreign and security policy. The president is also head and commander-in-chief of the Romanian army, as well as playing a role in controlling the country’s intelligence services.
The country’s current president, Klaus Iohannis, has been president for ten years and cannot run again.
The polling stations open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. The first forecasts are expected late Sunday evening.
Romania has 19 million inhabitants. The country borders Bulgaria, Ukraine, Hungary, Serbia and Moldova.
/ritzau/
Source: www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk
