Exit polls: No clear winner in Romania's election

This is considered Romania's most important vote in 20 years. Residents hope the winner influences long-delayed reforms to overhaul a sprawling public sector and tackle widespread corruption.

If exit polls confirm official results then a runoff will be held December 6th.

Romania's President in office, Traian Basescu, gestures during a  speech after exit polls were released in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday  Nov. 22, 2009.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Centrist President Traian Basescu, will face socialist former Foreign Minister, Mircea Geoana.

Both see this election as the country's most important since 1989, and competition for the runoff started Sunday.

Traian Basescu, President of Romania, said, "Romania has an urgent need for government. At the same time I want to assure Romanians: as I did all the time, I will not make any 'underground' negotiations which can put in question my next mandate as president."

For Romanians, the aim is simple. The economy.

Already in a deep recession, it is expected to shrink another 8.5 percent this year.

The country needs an IMF loan to pay state salaries and pensions. It is unlikely to receive these funds.

Without the money 1.3 million state workers will be forced to take eight days of unpaid leave by the end of the year.

Voter said, "We are here to vote for change, to have a more efficient parliament, to make sure we have a better future."

Economic policy is of course a concern in elections.

But the country also has a bigger crisis to tackle.

Romania has been in political gridlock since mid-October, when its democrat liberal government was ousted in a non-confidence vote in Parliament, the first in 20 years.

For the eventual winner, the first challenge is putting together a post-poll administration, which will likely to be a daunting task.