Romania launches presidential elections: 13 candidates vie for power

Presidential elections have started in Romania with polling stations for voting opened in all localities of the country.

In order to observe the presidential election, the electoral body issued 178 accreditations, of which the largest number were requested by associations and foundations, Romania's permanent electoral body AEP Romania wrote on its X page, according to Caliber.Az.

There are 13 candidates running for the presidency. It is noted that there is no turnout threshold in the country and the elections will be recognised as valid with any number of participants.

According to Romanian legislation, the winner is the candidate who wins more than half of the votes of the voters included in the lists.

In the event that none of the participants in the election receives more than 50 per cent of the votes, a second round will be held in a fortnight, in which the winner will be the one who receives the largest number of votes.

The Romanian president is elected for 5 years and has significant decision-making powers in such areas as national security and foreign policy.

The European Union and NATO member country will also hold parliamentary elections on 1 December that will determine Romania's next government and prime minister. The presidential role carries a five-year term and has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security and foreign policy.

By Khagan Isayev