Sibiu’s mayor Klaus Iohannis was the only candidate who made a statement after the polls closed in Romania, in the second round of the presidential elections, on Sunday, November 16. Prime Minister Victor Ponta gave up on the traditional public appearance after the announcement of the first exit polls.

“Dear Romanians, you were heroes today. The voting went phenomenal. An enormous turnout. I thank you all for going out to vote Romania’s president,” Iohannis said, adding special thanks to Romanians abroad who queued for hours until they got to vote.

“It doesn’t matter if three or 300,000 voted. If only one Romanian couldn’t vote, a fundamental right was violated,” he said. He also said that the Government should take responsibility for the way elections were organised abroad.

Prime Minister Victor Ponta only made a post on Facebook, thanking Romanians for their support. “Today we made Romania stronger!” the post said.

The two candidates were very close according to exit polls and the winner will be known only after the official counting of the votes. No candidate proclaimed his victory, but Iohannis is credited to have the higher chances to win.

“I’m still a bit nervous,” Iohannis said. “I will be nervous until the Constitutional Court will announce the final result,” he added.

editor@romania-insider.com