Romania Leftists Claim Victory in Bucharest Vote

Some analysts say the leftists and ruling Liberal Party could transform their current tacit cooperation in parliament into a coalition.

Romanian voters picked a leftist mayor to run Bucharest city hall in Sunday's runoff election, an exit poll indicated.

The result, if confirmed, would bolster the opposition left's bid to regain power nationally in a parliamentary election later this year.

One exit poll showed Sorin Oprescu, who ran as an independent but is backed by the Social Democrat Party (PSD), winning 54 percent of the vote in the race against Vasile Blaga, fielded by the Democrat-Liberals (PD-L) linked to President Traian Basescu.

Oprescu's victory could help the leftists negotiate future government partnerships after the national election which is expected to split parliament without handing a majority to any one group.

"It is clear the PSD has won the election," said PSD head Mircea Geoana. "Romania is preparing for a Social-Democrat government in the fall," he said.

The leftists and PD-L are eyeing top spot in the national vote after scoring roughly 30 percent each in the first round of municipal elections on June 1.

The ruling Liberal party of Prime Minister Calin Tariceanu trailed on about 20 percent, as voters punished it for internal squabbling and a slowdown in reforms.

President Basescu's PD-L and the Liberals took power in a coalition in 2004.

However, the coalition collapsed, leaving the Liberals to govern alone, amid recriminations as reforms slowed following Romania's entry into the EU in 2007.

As recently as two years ago, the PSD's ratings had slumped to a 16-year low over a string of corruption scandals, threatening the very future of a party that has ruled Romania for all but seven years since the collapse of communism in 1989.

But disappointment with the government's anti-fraud drive, soaring food and energy costs and a sense the poor have been left behind by market reforms mean many Romanians are now focusing on economic security promised by the leftists.

Some analysts say the leftists and ruling Liberal Party could transform their current tacit cooperation in parliament into a coalition after elections -- a scenario that could be bolstered if Oprescu, known as "the doctor", wins. The politician had quit the PSD just before the election campaign.

"Those who want the isolation of Traian Basescu and his party, are gaining strength and are starting to believe such an alliance can win," said commentator Cornel Nistorescu.

However, other commentators expect Basescu's PD-L to paper over disagreements with the Liberals and rebuild their coalition.