Romania is gearing up for Sunday’s presidential run-off. The two who came out on top in the first round are Prime Minister Adrian Nastase, a Social Democrat, and the centrist alliance candidate Traian Basescu. They are vying to replace Ion Iliescu, who has been in power for eight years. Nastase’s campaign was given a boost when negotiations to join the EU were completed on Wednesday.

However the entry conditions are tough. They include an overhaul of Romania’s judicial system and rooting out corruption. During his campaign Basescu vowed to tackle graft head-on. He called for a re-run of the first round, saying the electoral process was flawed but his demand was rejected by election authorities. European observers also said there were signs people may have been able to vote twice. A recent poll suggests Nastase is favourite to win.

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