BUCHAREST — Romanians are casting ballots on Sunday in the first round of a presidential election that will see a far-right nationalist face off against the current left-wing prime minister.
Voting starts at 0500 GMT and ends at 1900 GMT, with exit polls to follow immediately. The second round is scheduled for Dec. 8, while a parliamentary election is also due next Sunday.
Voting by Romanians abroad, who can influence the result and where hard-right politician George Simion is popular, began on Friday.
Opinion surveys show leftist Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, 56, leader of Romania’s largest party, the Social Democrats, will make it into the run-off vote with Simion, 38, of the Alliance for Uniting Romanians, the likely runner-up.
Analysts expect Ciolacu to win the second round against Simion, appealing to moderates by highlighting his experience managing Romania during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, they caution that rising frustration over the high cost of living could shift the outcome in Simion’s favour.
They also say the prospects of a Ciolacu-Simion run-off vote could mobilise centre-right voters in favour of Elena Lasconi, leader of centre-right opposition Save Romania Union.
Romania’s president, limited to two five-year terms, has a semi-executive role, which includes heading the armed forces and chairing the supreme defence council.
The president represents the country at EU and NATO summits and appoints the prime minister, chief judges, prosecutors, and secret service heads.
