Bucharest - Romanian President Emil Constantinescu's surprise withdrawal from the November presidential polls may be less of a blessing to his left-wing opponent than first thought, analysts said yesterday.
Mr Constantinescu - who has been blamed for falling living standards, an economic crisis and failing to carry out reforms - quit the race on Monday, saying he was disillusioned at his failure to stem widespread corruption.
Before his withdrawal, opinion polls had been suggesting that former president, Mr Ion Iliescu, a veteran ex-communist who ruled from 1990 to 1996, could coast to victory in November over Mr Constantinescu.
But the withdrawal could leave Mr Iliescu facing a new opponent - the technocrat Prime Minister, Mr Mugur Isarescu, who could replace Mr Constantinescu as the centre-right's challenger in the race.