Ponta was ahead on 39.6 percent of the vote compared to 30.2 percent for Klaus Iohannis, who will try to rally the anti-Ponta vote around him in order to close the gap. The result was announced with 56 percent of polling stations counted, and broadly reflected exit polls released on Sunday evening. The turnout was 52.6 percent. The two will head to a run-off on November 16.
The popular centre-right Basescu, who has accused Ponta of being a former spy, is ineligible to run for a third term.
Romania is the second poorest EU country after Bulgaria.
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