Romanians Vote In Presidential Elections

Eighteen million Romanians are voting for president on Sunday among 14 candidates.

The most likely winner, according to public opinion polls, is current PM Victor Ponta.

The 42-year-old prime minister from the Social Democratic Party is expected to garner 40% support at the first round, while his main opponent, Liberal Party head and mayor of Sibiu, Klaus Iohannis, will get around 29%.

The surveys suggest a run-off between Ponta and Iohannis on November 16, which Ponta is expected to win with 55% of the vote, according to the CSCI survey.

Incumbent President Traian Basescu will step down in December after 10 years in office because he can't run for a third five-year term.

A total of 14 candidates are running for president, including former Regional Development Minister Elena Udrea backed by Basescu and former Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu, who have 8% and 6% percent support, respectively.