Opinion surveys show leftist Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, 56, leader of Romania's largest party, the Social Democrats, will make it into the run-off vote with George Simion, 38, of the Alliance for Uniting Romanians the likely runner-up.
Analysts expect Ciolacu to win the second round against Simion, appealing to moderates and touting his experience running Romania during a war next door, but do not rule out a switch-up amid frustration with the high cost of living, Reuters reported.
They also say the prospects of a Ciolacu-Simion run-off vote could mobilize center-right voters in favour of Elena Lasconi, leader of the center-right Save Romania Union.