Romania presidential race too close to call

Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase and centrist opposition leader Traian Basescu emerged neck-and-neck from the second round of presidential elections yesterday, exit polls showed.

Two separate polls for a private and a state TV showed Mr Nastase and Mr Basescu in a tie with 50 per cent each, although exit polls have proved unreliable in the past in Romania.

The ruling Social Democrats (PSD) badly need a Nastase victory to hold on to power following inconclusive parliamentary elections two weeks ago.

With the result so close, analysts said European Union candidate Romania faces weeks of wrangling over the result, set to be challenged by both camps either way it goes.

"It means weeks of uncertainty," said political analyst Mark Percival, head of the independent Romania Think Tank. "If it's really close, there well be accusations of fraud, which must be investigated."

Both rivals said they were confident the final vote count would hand them victory.

"I'm sure the final result will favour us," Mr Nastase, 54, who won the first round two weeks ago, told cheering supporters in Bucharest.

His rival also said he would win and replace Mr Nastase's mentor Ion Iliescu, a veteran politician who steps down after two consecutive terms.

"I thank Romanian voters for their extraordinary trust, I promise them I will be a president that all Romanians will be happy with," a beaming Mr Basescu, 53, told his followers.

Although presidential powers are limited, the head of state will play a pivotal role in the hung parliament returned in the November 28 vote by nominating the next prime minister.

"It's a complicated situation and the tight race shows that forming a government will be very difficult," said independent analyst Ilie Serbanescu. "I think early elections will be needed."

Mr Nastase has made clear he will name Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana for the post, while Mr Basescu wants his centrist ally Calin Tariceanu to take the helm and lead Romania through two years of structural reforms before planned EU entry.

Whoever ends up in charge will face a tough task of speeding up reforms to secure Romania's membership in the EU along with Bulgaria in 2007, and not be held back by a year.