Outgoing head of State, Klaus Iohannis, who was standing as an independent candidate but supported by the National Liberal Party (PNL), came out ahead in the first round of the presidential election on 10th November in Romania. He won 37.79% of the vote, a high result, but below the forecasts anticipated in the polls.

"Dear Romanians, Victory! We have succeeded in vanquishing the Social Democratic Party in the biggest way in thirty years. Millions of Romanians from the country and the diaspora voted for our project: a normal Romania and the continuation of the important process of the country's transformation and improvement. I thank all of those who have trusted me, the liberals and also the members on the right and those who do not necessarily believe in a particular party but who want the same thing as us, a normal Romania," declared Klaus Iohannis when the results were announced.

"But the war against the Social Democratic Party is not finished, we still have a fight ahead of us, another step to take in two weeks. For the second round of the presidential elections, I am asking all of those who turned out in support of protecting justice, to come and vote. Dear Romanians, come and vote for a normal country," he added.

The outgoing President of the Republic campaigned on the defence of the rule of law, the modernisation of the State, the revision of freedom destroying laws and the continued battle to counter corruption.

On 24th November next, in the second round, he will face Viorica Dancila, former Prime Minister (2018-2019) who won 22.32%.

"I am happy that all of my comrades in the regions voted for me and to see that I am in the second round despite all of the criticism and the campaign undertaken against the Social Democratic Party and against me," declared Viorica Dancila when the results were announced. The social-democrat seemed relieved to have proved wrong the forecasts of some polls which doubted her ability to go through into the second round. If she is not elected on 24th November as the head of Romania, she will however have achieved a small feat.

According to political analyst Andrei Taranu, the polarisation caused due to the political crisis experienced by the country[1] benefited two main candidates. "This particular situation has placed Klaus Iohannis and Viorica Dancila in the limelight and at the centre of the political scene. The other candidates had no chance of forging themselves a place," he said.

Dan Barna, leader of the Save Romania Union (USR), took third place with 14.95% of the vote. The independent candidate Mircea Diaconu, actor and former MEP (2014-2019) supported by the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats of former Prime Minister (2004-2008) Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, and by Pro Romania (PRO), a social liberal party led by former Prime Minister (2012-2015) Victor Ponta, won 8.86% of the vote. The ten other candidates won under 6% of the vote each.

Turnout lay at 47.77%, i.e. - 5.4 points less in comparison with the first round of the previous presidential election on 2nd November 2014. This is the lowest turnout ever recorded in a presidential election in Romania.

In all likelihood the outgoing President of the Republic Klaus Iohannis should be re-elected for a second term as head of State on 24th November.

Results of the first round of the presidential election on 10th November 2019 in Romania

Turnout: 47.77%

Source : http://prezidentiale2019.bec.ro/rezultate/