President Traian Basescu led by a slim margin in the first round of Romania's presidential election today, but the close results pointed to tough talks ahead on forming a new government.
Partial results from 74 per cent of polling stations showed Mr Basescu had 33 per cent of the votes cast in yesterday's ballot and Social Democrat (PSD) leader Mircea Geoana 30 per cent.
If Mr Basescu defeats Mr Geoana in the second round on December 6th, he will be able to choose a new prime minister to put an end to a government crisis that has delayed International Monetary Fund aid and put off investors.
However, commentators say Mr Basescu's confrontational style has made him enemies among other political groups, raising questions about his ability to form a stable coalition. Without supporters, his Democrat-Liberal Party cannot rule alone.
Confirming these concerns, Liberal Party leader Crin Antonescu, who was third in the polls with 20 per cent, said his grouping would not negotiate a deal with Mr Basescu's party.
Failure to form a new government rapidly could further endanger a €20 billion aid package led by the IMF and hamper efforts to move the country quickly out of recession.
At stake is Romania's ability to modernise after years of shoddy reforms in the two decades since the collapse of communism which have left it poorer and more corruption-prone than most of its former Soviet bloc peers in the European Union.
Reuters