First Phase of Romanian Presidential Elections Starts Today

11/3/2014 4:26:09 AM

(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) Bucharest November 02 (QNA) - The first phase of Romania's two-phase presidential elections begins today. The Central Electoral Bureau has announced 14 candidates are contesting the elections.

The country's fourth President Traian Basescu serving since December 2004 ends his second and final term in office December 21 2014. He cannot contest for a third term according to the Constitution. The last presidential election was held in 2009.

According to political analysts Prime Minister Victor Ponta of Social Democratic Party is favourite to win.

Other strong candidates are Partidul National Liberal's (PNL) Klaus Iohannis People's Movement Party's (PMP) Elena Udrea a former minister of regional development and tourism and Basescu's confidante.

Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) party has fielded Hunor Kelemen. Monica Macovei Calin Popescu-Tariceanu are independent candidates.

Teodor Melescanu Dan Diaconescu Zsolt Szilagyi Corneliu Vadim Tudor Constantin Rotaru William Brinza Mirel Mircea Amaritei and Gheorghe Funar are the other candidates Opinion polls have put Ponta ahead of his nearest rival Klaus Iohannis. He is credited with transforming the Transylvanian city of Sibiu and is backed by two centre right parties. (QNA)

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