Opposition candidate wins Romanian presidential vote

Monday, 13 December , 2004, 23:03

Bucharest: Opposition candidate Traian Basescu won Romania's hotly-contested presidential election dominated by the country's EU membership bid, but the centre-right mayor of Bucharest on Monday faced the arduous task of trying to form a government from a fragmented parliamentary base.

With all ballots counted, Basescu, the centre-right opposition candidate, was credited with 51.23 percent against 48.77 percent for Prime Minister Adrian Nastase, according to final official figures released Monday by the Central Electoral Office.

Nastase conceded defeat and congratulated his opponent on his victory as did outgoing President Ion Iliescu.

"I respect the results as published by the Central Electoral Office, which show the will of the Romanian people," said Nastase, who will succeed Iliescu. "I have already called Mr Basescu to congratulate him."

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/sarcasm. - K