Campaigning intensified Saturday ahead of Romania’s presidential election with incumbent Traian Basescu attacking the opposition and the media in his bid for a second term. While his Social-Democrat opponent Mircea Geoana is offering more investment to beat recession Basescu is pledging to cut spending ahead of the vote on Sunday November 22. „I will not abandon the fight against parliament and the media moguls. I want a second term,” Basescu told thousands of supporters gathered in Cluj 600 kilometres (370 miles) northwest of Bucharest).His favourite campaign theme, reducing the number of lawmakers, drew applause from supporters wearing orange parkas and caps, most of whom seemed to agree a 471-member parliament was „too expensive”.
The former sea captain who became president in 2004 shook hands and patted children before climbing on the stage to deliver his speech.
„I was the one to stop doubtful privatisations,” he said, implicitly accusing rival Social-Democrats of underhand practices while in power for most of the 20 years since the fall of the communist regime in 1989.
He also pledged to bring „more equity” to people living in the countryside and to cut public spending.
