Polls are due to open in Romania in the first round of a presidential election, with 12 candidates vying for office.

The frontrunners are the centre-right incumbent, Traian Basescu, and his Social Democrat rival, Mircea Geoana.

The election is expected to put an end to the political crisis which followed the collapse of the centre-right government of Emil Boc in October.

For six weeks recession-hit Romania has been in the hands of a caretaker government.

Sunday's is the country's first presidential election as a member of the EU.

Mr Basescu, who has been president for five years, wants a mandate to overcome what he says is the blocking of his political reforms by opposition parties.

Mr Geoana - a former US ambassador and foreign affairs minister - is offering voters an ambitious economic stimulus package.

Latest polls show the Liberal candidate Crin Antonescu trailing in third place.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8372771....