A CITY mayor elected president of Romania in a surprise poll win has said his victory signals stronger relations with the West and greater stability for Eastern Europe.
Thousands of Romanians celebrated after Klaus Iohannis beat Victor Ponta in a run-off. The mayor of Sibiu said it would lead to "deep change" in Romania.
The triumph of the slow-talking former physics teacher represents a victory for a young, post-communist, well-travelled generation.
Romanians voted in high numbers, with the turnout of 64 per cent well above that in the first round.
Two hours after polls closed, an ashen-faced Mr Ponta conceded defeat. A mass protest transformed into a celebration as Mr Iohannis waded through thousands of people gathered in a square where many were shot dead during the 1989 anti-communist revolt. He tapped into Romanians' desire for a quiet life and an end to bitter conflicts between outgoing president Traian Basescu and Mr Ponta.
His win was also a failure for the nationalist card played by Mr Ponta, who mocked his rival's minority German ethnicity and the fact he is not a member of the powerful Orthodox Church.
Challenged to sing the national anthem at a news conference, Mr Iohannis gave a tenor rendering.
He promised to crack down on endemic corruption.
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