The presidential race has attracted 14 candidates, seven of whom submitted their candidacies yesterday, the final day for official submissions to the Central Electoral Office (BEC).

The 14 candidates are: current Prime Minister Victor Ponta (PSD-UNPR-PC Alliance), Klaus Iohannis (PNL-PDL Alliance), Dan Diaconescu (People’s Party – Dan Diaconescu), Kelemen Hunor (UDMR), Szilagyi Zsolt (Popular Hungarian Party of Transylvania), Corneliu Vadim Tudor (PRM), Constantin Rotaru (Socialist Alternative Party), William Brânză (Romanian Ecologist Party), Mirel Mircea Amariţei (Prodemo Party) and independent candidates Monica Macovei, Calin Popescu Tariceanu, Teodor Melescanu, Elena Udrea (Popular Movement Party) and Gheorghe Funar.

The first round of presidential elections is scheduled to take place on November 2.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com