President Klaus Iohannis wins Romania presidential elections

Romania’s centrist President Klaus Iohannis won a presidential election runoff on Sunday as expected, crushing his socialist challenger with a pledge to resume judicial reforms slowed down by successive Social Democrat (PSD) governments.

Two separate exit polls showed Iohannis garnered 64%-67% of the vote, with former prime minister Viorica Dancila of the left-leaning PSD taking 33-36%.

“The winner today is modern Romania, European Romania, the normal Romania,” Iohannis told reporters in his victory speech.

Under a succession of PSD governments, Romania, a European Union member state, has rolled back anti-corruption measures in recent years. Along with ex-communist peers Poland and Hungary, it has been heavily criticised by Brussels for its actions.

However, 60-year-old Iohannis has been credited by Western allies and the European Union with trying to protect the rule of law, by challenging attempts to limit judges’ independence.

Via France 24

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