Euroactiv: Romania authoritative start of electoral campaign

The run before the presidential election in Romania officially began on Friday. The pro-European camp is increasingly concerned.

Independent candidate Nicușor Dan, mayor of Bucharest, warned that the second circular between George Simion, leader of the ultra-right-wing AUR organization (Union of Romanian Unity), and erstwhile Social Democratic Prime Minister Victor Ponta, presently starting as an independent, would be the "worst scenario" for Romania.

Dan suggested that he could retreat from the race for president if the leader of the centre-right USR (Romanian Salvation Union) Elena Lasconi or Crin Antonescu, a candidate supported by the ruling PSD coalition (Social Democratic Party), PNL(National-Liberal Party) and the Centerright UDMR Democratic Union of Vegrs in Romania), will accomplish better results in polls.

Current polls give leadSimion, followed by Pont and 3rd placeNicușor Dan.

Meanwhile, the Social Democratic Transport Minister Sorin Grindeanu urged Nicușor Dan to resign and proceed his work as mayor of Bucharest.

USR leader Elena Lasconi has 5 points of supportin the polls, but she ruled out withdrawal, which would be beneficial mainly to Dan, even though any members of her own organization force her to consider it.

Let us remind you that last year's presidential election was overturned after the lead was taken by a pro-Russian candidate Călin Georgescu. This decision sparked street protests.

Source: Euractiv

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