Bucharest Mayor Traian Basescu won an unexpected victory in Romania's presidential runoff election, ending a decade of rule by former communists.
Basescu, a former ship captain, vowed to fight corruption, restore press freedoms and prepare Romania to join the European Union.
He has also said he supports greater rights for gays.
He defeated Prime Minister Adrian Nastase, who was supported by outgoing President Ion Iliescu. Final results showed Basescu won 51.2% of Sunday's vote, compared with Nastase's 48.8%.
