Bucharest - Romania's presidential election will take place November 22, with December 6 set for a likely runoff vote, the interior ministry announced Monday.

It remains unclear whether incumbent President Traian Basescu will stand. Despite having the best prospects of any potential candidate, opinion polls suggest he would not win outright in the first round.

The polls place socialist PSD party leader Mirceas Geoana second and Crin Antonescu of the nationalist PNL party third in current voter popularity.

Basescu made clear earlier in the year that his candidacy would depend on there having been some economic recovery by autumn following the global crisis.

His image has since been tarnished by a series of affairs involving relatives, including alleged illegal weapons deals by his brother Mircea Basescu, and his ex-model daughter Elena getting elected to the European Parliament.

The state prosecutor is investigating whether she did so using state funds. (dpa)