Far-right hopes for breakthrough in Romania presidential vote
The country will also hold parliamentary elections at the start of December
Romanians are casting ballots on Sunday in the first round of a presidential election that could pit a far-right nationalist against the incumbent leftist prime minister in the run-off.
Thirteen candidates are vying for the presidency in the European Union and Nato member country, and the vote is expected to go to a second round on December 8. Polls opened at 7.00am local time (0500GMT) and will close at 9.00am (1900GMT). Romanians abroad have been able to vote since Friday.
The final vote could see George Simion, the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, or AUR, face off against incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who is backed by Romania’s largest party, the Social Democratic Party or PSD.
The presidential role carries a five-year term and has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security, foreign policy, and judicial appointments.
Romania will also hold parliamentary elections on December 1 that will determine the country’s next government and prime minister.
Simion, 38, is a vocal supporter of US president-elect Donald Trump and has long been a figure of controversy. He campaigned for reunification with Moldova, which this year renewed a five-year ban on him from entering the country over security concerns, and he is banned for the same reason from entering neighbouring Ukraine.
“I would like that in the next five to 10 years, for Romanians to be really proud to be Romanians, to promote Romanian culture, Romanian products,” he told reporters on Wednesday in the capital, Bucharest. “As a Romanian president, I will promote Romanian interests. In most cases, Romanian interests coincide with partner interests.”
Cristian Andrei, a political consultant based in Bucharest, said Sunday’s vote will be “a tight race” in which the diaspora is likely to play a key role in which candidates make it to the run-off.
