Romanians are electing their president, today the polling stations in the country are open after two days only voters from the diaspora voted. At some polling stations in Bucharest, but also in Timișoara, queues formed in the evening. The percentage of those who have voted up to this time is above that of the 2019 elections. The first results will be announced at 21:00 when the polling stations close when the exit polls will be published.
Voting stations in Romania opened at 07:00 in the morning, and more than 18 million Romanians in the country are expected to express their choice in a vote that will decide the future of the head of state.
Among the first voters was President Klaus Iohannis, who did not make statements at the polling station, only urging Romanians to vote for the election of the new head of state.
In the first part of the day, the 13 candidates aspiring to the presidency of Romania presented themselves one by one at the polling stations. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, the only candidate rated by all polls as entering the second round, stated that he voted for a Romania with a strong voice in the world, for stability and balance.
Marcel CIOLACU, PSD CANDIDATE: “I voted for a Romania where Romanians can have a decent living and last but not least, I voted for a Romania whose president works for the country and for his people.”
USR's presidential candidate, Elena Lasconi, who, according to the polls, has a chance of reaching the second round, voted with the confidence that no Romanian will pack their bags to leave the country.
Elena LASCONI, USR CANDIDATE: “I voted with the confidence that we will have a Romania for all, not just for some”.
George Simion presidential candidate
from the AUR party, who is fighting shoulder to shoulder with Lasconi for a place in the second round, accompanied his wife to the vote, after he expressed his intention, two days ago, in Rome.
George SIMION, GOLD CANDIDATE: “I am very, very happy that we are able to restore hope to Romanians and the thought of a better future.”
The former deputy secretary of NATO, Mircea Geoană, an independent candidate for Romania's presidency in 2024, said that he voted because it was his duty to vote and urged Romanians to vote for the election of the new head of state.
Mircea GEOANĂ, INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE: “We don't just choose a president, we choose a direction for the country. I think the choice is quite clear, we have a choice between corruption and extremism, between competence and patriotism.”
If no candidate gets an absolute majority – 50 percent +1, a second round will be held on December 8. From 1989 until now, Romania has had four presidents – Ion Iliescu, Emil Constantinescu, Traian Băsescu and Klaus Iohannis. According to the Constitution, the President of Romania can only hold office for two consecutive terms.
