A Romanian court declared President Traian Basescu victor of a closely-fought election yesterday, handing him a second five-year term and the power to end a political crisis that has threatened an IMF-led aid deal.
The Constitutional Court unanimously rejected a complaint by Social Democrat leader Mircea Geoana, who lost by a razor thin margin and accused the former sea captain incumbent of stealing a December 6 runoff through widespread multiple voting and bribery.
The ruling opens the way to resolution of a months-old political crisis that has blocked policymaking, led to the fall of a Basescu-allied Cabinet, and put a €20 billion International Monetary Fund- led aid deal on ice.
Analysts said Mr Basescu's victory would lead to the quick formation of a new government but long-simmering animosity between the Black Sea state's major political forces could create instability in the medium term.
That was evident in the response of Mr Geoana, a former foreign minister and ambassador to Washington who had a wide lead in opinion polls ahead of the vote, when he conceded defeat but maintained his accusation that the vote was rigged.
"I accept the court's decision... and I wish Traian Basescu good luck," he told reporters, adding: "The suspicion of fraud in this election will follow Romania and our democracy."
A recount of 138,000 annulled votes did not change an official outcome giving Mr Basescu a 70,000 vote edge.
The ballot was one of the most important in Romania since the Black Sea state of 22 million overthrew and shot Stalinist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu 20 years ago this month.
The victor must quickly create a government and pass a cost-cutting budget to reopen the taps of international aid that it needs to finance its budget and claw its way out of an economic contraction expected to reach eight per cent this year.
Political analysts said Mr Basescu, 58, would likely form a government quickly but could struggle to rein in an abrasive style that has caused clashes with rival parties and led to the collapse of two governments in his five-year term.
He will now have three election-free years to influence long-delayed policies to overhaul Romania's bloated public sector, a main reason the country is ranked the second poorest and most corrupt member of the European Union.
His first priority will be naming a new prime minister to replace Emil Boc, who has stayed on in an interim capacity since opposition parties toppled his Cabinet with a no-confidence vote in October.