Romania Prime Minister wins first round of election

BUCHAREST
 Prime Minister Victor Ponta won the first round of Romania’s presidential election, a step towards a victory that would consolidate his leftist party’s hold on power but would also raise questions about judicial independence.

With nearly all ballots counted, Ponta, leader of the Social Democrats and a former prosecutor and amateur rally driver who became prime minister two years ago, had won 40.3 percent of the vote in Sunday’s election. That compared with 30.4 per cent for his nearest challenger, Klaus Iohannis, an ethnic German mayor backed by two centre-right parties.

The results make Ponta, who has consistently led opinion polls over Iohannis, favourite to win a run-off vote on Nov 16.

A Ponta presidency could bring more stability to the Black Sea country of 20 million, which endured a painful recession and spending cuts during the global slowdown and has made mixed progress in implementing reforms under an IMF-led aid deal.

As prime minister, Ponta often feuded with his bitter rival, outgoing President Traian Basescu — who served as president for a decade — often slowing policymaking.

However, without the check on power hitherto provided by Basescu, Ponta’s rise has raised concerns that he might tighten political control over the judiciary and anti-corruption prosecutors.