Exit polls: – Romanian Prime Minister Ciolacu in the second round of the presidential elections

In both surveys, Ciolacu received approximately 25 percent of the votes. The race for second place seemed not yet decided. The leader of the USR reform party, Elena Lasconi, was just ahead of two right-wing populist politicians with 18 percent.

Due to the large number of Romanians abroad who have not been surveyed, there may be significant differences between the forecasts and the actual result. While it is unlikely that Ciolacu’s victory and thus his place in the second round of elections on December 8 will be taken away, his lead could be smaller than in the exit polls. A total of thirteen candidates asked for the trust of approximately 19 million voting citizens, including conservative former Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, who only finished in fourth place according to the exit polls. Ciuca received 13 to 14 percent, the right-wing radical politicians Calin Georgescu and George Simion achieved values ​​of 14 to 16 percent.

Surprising success comes for the reform politician
For the 52-year-old reform politician Lasconi, reaching the second election would be the crowning achievement of a young political career. The former TV journalist and incumbent mayor of the small town of Campulung Muscel was only elected the new chairman of the USR in the summer, when the old party leadership was voted out in local elections following the Reform Party’s bitter electoral losses. Lasconi only announced herself as her party’s presidential candidate after none of the more experienced USR top politicians agreed to participate in the presidential race.

In the second election, Lasconi could benefit from the fact that Romanian voters traditionally prefer a civilian head of state. Over the past twenty years, all candidates of the ruling Social Democrats (PSD) had reached the second election, but were always defeated by the candidate from the bourgeois camp.

Right-wing populists are considered an opponent of military aid to Kiev
If Simion were to reach the second round, it would be an unprecedented embarrassment for the country from the perspective of former President Traian Basescu. It is simply unthinkable that someone from two neighboring countries would reach the final round of the race for the highest office. in the state of Romania, namely Ukraine and Moldova, was declared persona non grata and denied entry to the country due to nationalist agitation and suspected links with the Russian domestic secret service FSB, Basescu had warned in recent days.

Simion is a staunch nationalist, but also a decidedly Russia-friendly and Eurosceptic politician who, as a former football hooligan, also likes to appear aggressive and occasionally becomes violent towards political opponents. As head of state, the 38-year-old says he wants to keep Romania in NATO and the EU, but hopes for a Europe of nation states. Simion also speaks out strongly against further military aid to Ukraine.

17 polling stations established in Austria
The country’s nearly 19,000 polling stations opened at 6am CET and closed at 8pm CET. This time, Romanian authorities have set up 950 polling stations abroad, including 17 in Austria – namely six in Vienna, two in Salzburg, Graz and Linz and one each in Eisenstadt, Sankt Pölten, Bregenz, Innsbruck and Klagenfurt.

Because Romania is a semi-presidential republic, the head of state has significant political powers. Under the Romanian constitution, the power to direct foreign and defense policy lies with the president, who is also the commander-in-chief of the army and heads the country’s defense council. The President also represents Romania at EU level, at European Council summits and under international law. It is seen as a guarantee of the country’s independence, the rule of law and, in case of political or social tensions, as a mediator between authorities and society.