Bucharest, Oct 17, SPA -- Three presidential candidates,including the prime minister and the mayor of Bucharest, onSunday formally registered to run in November elections. Prime Minister Adrian Nastase, who is running for theleftist Social Democratic Party, said he deservedRomanians' vote because he was hardworking and would helpthe country join the European Union, expected in 2007. Hesaid he would try to raise living standards if elected. Bucharest Mayor Traian Basescu, who is running for thecentrist Justice and Truth Alliance, said he would work toconsolidate Romania's sometimes fragile democracy and legalsystem. He stepped into the race after his former politicalpartner Theodor Stolojan withdrew for health reasons. Corneliu Vadim Tudor, who will run for the nationalistGreater Romania Party, also presented his credentials. Many opinion polls are unreliable, but Nastase is believedto be currently the favorite candidate. Tudor was runner-upin the 2000 presidential elections. A candidate needs to secure more than half the vote in thefirst round to win outright. President Ion Iliescu has beenpresident since communism ended in 1989, except for fouryears from 1996 to 2000. --SPA1614 Local Time 1314 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/211591