This Weekend's Elections

This weekend, in one of the closest elections since the overthrow of dictator Nicolae Ceaucescu in 1989, Romania endorsed the old guard to guide the country into the European Union in 2007. Prime Minister Adrian Nastase claimed victory for the Social Democrats in the parliamentary vote and is expected to win a Dec. 12 presidential runoff with Bucharest Mayor Traian Basescu. Nastase's reformist center-right rival, who was favored by urban voters, campaigned against corruption and pledged to control the black market to create a more business-friendly environment. Nastase, whose party has held power for 11 of the 15 years since the revolution, took credit for the fast-growing economy and Romania's entry into NATO. He also argued he would continue the course toward EU entry, which Romanians hope will lead to development and prosperity. The new president will succeed Ion Iliescu, who will step down after two terms.