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Romanians electing new president; PM favorite

Two women walk down a flight of stairs in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, Oct. 31, 2014, backdropped by a campaign poster, attached to the facade of an apartment block, depicting Prime Minister Victor Ponta, leader of the ruling Social Democracy Party (PSD) who runs for president in elections set to take place on Nov. 2. Romanians go to the polls on Sunday to elect a new leader as President Traian Basescu steps down after 10 years. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru, Mediafax) ROMANIA OUT
Two women walk down a flight of stairs in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, Oct. 31, 2014, backdropped by a campaign poster, attached to the facade of an apartment block, depicting Prime Minister Victor Ponta, leader of the ruling Social Democracy Party (PSD) who runs for president in elections set to take place on Nov. 2. Romanians go to the polls on Sunday to elect a new leader as President Traian Basescu steps down after 10 years. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru, Mediafax) ROMANIA OUT

By Associated Press 2 min read

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) – Romanians went to the polls Sunday to elect a new leader as President Traian Basescu steps down after 10 years, with the prime minister favored to win in the nation of 19 million.

Prime Minister Victor Ponta faces challengers including a city mayor and a prominent lawyer. If no candidate secures an absolute majority in the vote, there will be a runoff on Nov. 16.

“I think starting this winter we’ll have a truly democratic country. A European country,” Ponta said after voting.

“After 10 years of war and destruction” it is time for reconstruction, he said referring to his bitter rivalries with the outgoing president Basescu who steps down in December.

Basescu – known for his outspoken and often critical comments about politicians and Romania’s legal system – also acknowledged Romania needed a different style of president.