Romania goes to the polls
Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase and his left-wing party face a tough challenge from the centrist opposition in today’s presidential and parliamentary elections.
Polls open from 7am (5am Irish time) and close at 9pm (7pm Irish time), with official results expected by Tuesday. Nearly 18 million people are eligible to vote.
The 54-year-old Nastase heads the ruling Social Democratic Party, seen by many to be the successor of the Communist Party.
Despite being regarded as the embodiment of the country’s communist past, Nastase says he’s the best candidate to take Romania into the EU because he has personal ties to foreign leaders and has helped lead the country during four years of economic growth.
His main challenger is Bucharest mayor Traian Basescu, an inexperienced but outspoken and popular politician who rose to national fame by launching scathing attacks against the ruling party, which he accuses of fostering corruption and damaging democracy.
Basescu, a former ship’s captain, promises a Western-leaning future and has vowed to take Romania into the EU “with dignity”, by implementing needed reforms to ready the country for membership.
He also says Romania should continue to fight alongside the United States against terrorism and in Iraq where Romania has about 700 soldiers.
Romania hopes to join the EU by 2007, but has been told to clean up endemic corruption and improve press freedom.
A first round winner is unlikely because a candidate would need to secure more than 50% of the vote. A runoff is expected December 12.
The winner will replace President Ion Iliescu, who is stepping down after serving three terms. He will run at a Senate candidate for the ruling party.
