Iohannis Scents Victory in Romanian Presidential Vote

President Klaus Iohannis, 60, who had designated Orban as prime minister and was a determined opponent of Dancila's tumultuous centre-left government, is the undisputed favourite to win the vote on Sunday. 

Most opinion polls predict him winning the first round with more than 40 per cent of the vote; his chances seemed boosted by Orban's success in earning the confidence of the fragmented parliament.

In line with Orban's PNL, Iohannis, has promised to deliver "a normal Romania" that upholds the rule of law, respects the country's engagements with the EU and the US and delivers competence.

Romanian new Prime Minister Ludovic Orban (L) shakes hands with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis (R) during the swearing in ceremony held at the Presidential Palace, in Bucharest, Romania, 04 November 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE/ROBERT GHEMENT

'Simple man' strikes chord with many voters

Three candidates are competing to face Iohannis in the run-off on November 24. One is former prime minister Dancila, 55, who is standing for her Social Democratic Party, PSD, and will try to save her political career by invoking her government's increases in pensions and salaries as well as the economic growth the country registered under her rule.

Another is Dan Barna, 44, who belongs to the party USR PLUS, a young political formation that is part of French President Emannuel Macron's Renew Europe group in the European Parliament. It has put forward a discourse about regeneration that is not very dissimilar to Iohannis', albeit with a stronger emphasis on generational change.

The surprise candidate might be the iconic veteran actor Mircea Diaconu, 69, behind whom two small parties disenchanted with Dancila's PSD have rallied. 

Running under the slogan ...