Romanians vote in parliamentary poll, govt. expected to win

PanARMENIAN.Net - Romania's prime minister was headed for victory in parliamentary elections on Sunday, December 9 that could set off another round of a power struggle with the rightist president and complicate talks for a new IMF deal, Reuters said.

Victor Ponta's leftist Social Liberal Union (USL) will win the most votes and possibly a clear majority, opinion polls showed. But analysts said President Traian Basescu might use his powers to ask one of his own allies to try to form a government.

Any prolonged period without a new administration in place would unnerve markets and raise questions about how Romania would obtain a new International Monetary Fund deal once the current agreement expires in early 2013.

Heavy snow, rain and fog across the Balkan country delayed the opening of some polling stations but Ponta said all citizens were able to cast ballots. Polls will close at 9 p.m. (1900 GMT) with first results due early on Monday.