Iliescu Favored in Romania Vote

Incumbent President Ion Iliescu was strongly favored in a runoff election Sunday that pitted the former Communist against a challenger who promises to speed democratic and economic reform.

Polling began before dawn in blustery and wet autumn weather. Only 60% of the 16.4 million eligible voters had cast ballots by 6 p.m. Most polling booths remained open just three more hours.

Preliminary results are expected today, with final results coming later in the week.

Challenger Emil Constantinescu, the 53-year-old dean of Bucharest University, promises more capitalism and an end to Communist holdovers in government.

The soft-spoken intellectual may do well in cities, but the 62-year-old Iliescu still has tremendous support in the more conservative rural areas and small towns and is expected to gain the simple majority he needs for reelection to a four-year term.