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Close finish in Romania run-off Romania president 'heads for win'
(1 day later)
Former Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana is narrowly ahead of President Traian Basescu in the presidential run-off, according to exit polls. Romania's President Traian Basescu is heading for re-election after Sunday's run-off, official figures suggest.
Three exit polls suggest Mr Geoana, the leader of the Social Democrats, won just over 50% of the votes, leading Mr Basescu by one to three points. With 99% of ballots counted, Mr Basescu had won just over 50.3% of the vote in the second round, according to the country's election bureau.
However, both contenders claimed victory after Sunday's vote. Earlier, exit polls had predicted victory for his challenger, Former Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana.
The result of the election is still too close to call, says the BBC's Central Europe correspondent Nick Thorpe. Both candidates claimed victory on Sunday night in what correspondents describe as a bitter contest.
He says this is a nail-biting finish to what was often an ugly campaign. Mr Geoana told his jubilant supporters in Bucharest after the polls closed at 2100 local time (1900 GMT): "Our victory is the victory of all Romanians who want a better life. This is a beautiful night for Romanian democracy."
"We won together. Our victory is the victory of all Romanians who want a better life," Mr Geoana told his jubilant supporters in Bucharest after the polls closed at 2100 local time (1900 GMT).
"This is a beautiful night for Romanian democracy," he said.
Centre-right President Basescu also claimed victory, saying exit polls were deceptive.Centre-right President Basescu also claimed victory, saying exit polls were deceptive.
"I won. I assure you that... the correct polls showed that I was ahead of Mircea Geoana," he said."I won. I assure you that... the correct polls showed that I was ahead of Mircea Geoana," he said.
"My voters need to stay calm and convinced that the counting of votes cannot be subject to fraud," he added."My voters need to stay calm and convinced that the counting of votes cannot be subject to fraud," he added.
Higher turnout Paralysis
The exit polls' predictions are based on voter research up to 1700 local time (1500 GMT), our correspondent says.
During the first round two weeks ago there was a last-minute flurry of voting, and estimates suggest turnout will be higher than the 54% who cast their ballots then. Votes from Romanians abroad could also influence the outcome.
First official results are expected on Monday.
The election campaign was fought against the backdrop of a serious economic crisis in Romania. It has also been marred by personal attacks and allegations.The election campaign was fought against the backdrop of a serious economic crisis in Romania. It has also been marred by personal attacks and allegations.
One of the key roles of the next president will be to appoint a prime minister, as Romania has been led by a caretaker government since October.One of the key roles of the next president will be to appoint a prime minister, as Romania has been led by a caretaker government since October.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has delayed the payment of part of a bail-out loan because of the current lack of effective government in Romania.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has delayed the payment of part of a bail-out loan because of the current lack of effective government in Romania.
Analysts say corruption is still widespread, nearly three years after the country joined the EU.Analysts say corruption is still widespread, nearly three years after the country joined the EU.
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