Overseas voters will likely decide the outcome of Romania’s presidential election after exit polls showed progressive mayor Elena Lasconi had won a surprise second place taking her into the runoff.
But the exit polls did not take into account some 800,000 overseas voters some of whom support Ms.Lasconi, 52, and others who favor two nationalist candidates.
Early results showed a surge for pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu who was polling in second position just behind Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.
Ms. Lasconi said that the results were “very tight” and called on supporters to wait until results were released on Monday to celebrate
Mr. Ciolacu came first as expected with about 25% of votes according to the exit polls.
Some 13 candidates took part in the presidential election.
A runoff will be held on December 8. Romania holds parliamentary elections on December 1.
