Bucharest (Romania), 4 May (LaPresse/AP) – Polls have opened in Romania for the presidential elections. Romanians are returning to the polls in an important presidential election after last year's cancelled elections plunged the country, a member of the European Union and NATO, into its worst political crisis in decades. Eleven candidates are running for president, with a runoff scheduled for 18 May. Polls opened at 7 a.m. (8 a.m. in Italy) and will close at 9 p.m. (10 p.m. in Italy). Romanians abroad have been able to vote since Friday. The Romanian political landscape was shaken last year when a supreme court annulled the previous elections, in which far-right outsider Calin Georgescu had won the first round, following allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference, which Moscow denied. As in many EU countries, there is strong anti-establishment sentiment in Romania, fuelled by high inflation and the cost of living, a large budget deficit and a stagnant economy. Observers say the discontent has bolstered support for nationalist and far-right figures such as Georgescu, who is under investigation and cannot stand in the new elections. Although local poll data should be treated with caution, the average of polls suggests that far-right nationalist George Simion will make it to the runoff, likely against Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan or the ruling coalition's candidate, Crin Antonescu.
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