Romanian centrist opposition leader Mr Traian Basescu claimed victory today in a tight presidential race against left-wing Prime Minister Adrian Nastase.
With 92 per cent of yesterday's run-off vote counted, the electoral committee said earlier Mr Basescu won the ballot with 51.8 per cent compared with 48.2 per cent for Mr Nastase.
"It was the will of the Romanian people that gave me this strong victory," Mr Basescu, the Bucharest mayor, said at his city hall office.