Basescu Close to Victory in Romania President Elections

Romania's incumbent president Traian Basescu, surrounded by his party staff reacts after first exit poll result made public at Liberal Democratic party headquarters in Bucharest, Romania, 06 December 2009. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Romania's President Traian Basescu is heading for re-election after Sunday's run-off, official figures suggest.

With 99% of ballots counted, Basescu had won just over 50% of the vote in the second round, according to the country's election bureau.

Earlier, exit polls had predicted victory for his challenger, Former Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana, the BBC reported.

Both candidates claimed victory on Sunday night in what correspondents describe as a bitter contest.

One of the key roles of the next president will be to appoint a prime minister, as Romania has been led by a caretaker government since October.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has delayed the payment of part of a bail-out loan because of the current lack of effective government in Romania.