Romanian nationalist George Simion leads the latest opinion poll for the presidential elections followed by the pro-European ruling coalition candidate, Crin Antonescu, two polls show.
But despite Simion’s lead and chances of making it to the runoff, Mr. Antonescu, a former sports minister, would win a May 18 runoff, the CURS poll conducted between April 3 and 10 showed.
The survey shows leader of the AUR party n first place, with 26%, followed by Crin Antonescu, with 23%.
Bucharest mayor, Nicusor Dan, is in third place, with 19%, and former Prime Minister Victor Ponta is in fourth place with 16% followed by pro-European former runner-up Elena Lasconi on by 8%.
But Crin Antonescu would win the second round, whether he faced Nicuşor Dan or George Simion in the second round.
If there was a Nicusor Dan – George Simion final, the AUR leader would win with 54% to 46% and in a Nicusor Dan – Victor Ponta final, there would be a tie.
In a Crin Antonescu/George Simion runoff, Crin Antonescu would receive 52% of the votes and George Simion – 48%.
Another poll released Monday showed Simion in the lead with 27% and Crin Antonescu on 26% with Dan on 20%. It did not ask respondents what they would vote in the case of a runoff.
Asked who would enter the second round of the presidential elections, 36% said George Simion would and 21% said Crin Antonescu would.
The survey was conducted between April 3-10, on 1214 respondents, aged 18 and over, the sample being probabilistic, multistage, stratified, using the CATI (Computer-assisted telephone interviewing) method.
Maximum margin of error for the entire sample: +/-2.8% at a 95% confidence level.
