Bucharest
Hard-right populist Calin Georgescu has taken the lead in Romania’s presidential election, raising concerns about the country’s future relationship with the West, as reported on Monday. With 98% of votes counted, Georgescu, who has been a vocal critic of the European Union and NATO, secured nearly 23% of the vote, edging out Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who received around 20%. Centre-right candidate Elena Lasconi trailed in third place with 19%, while far-right leader George Simion garnered 14%.
Georgescu, who had only 5% support in pre-election polls, will now face Ciolacu in a run-off on December 8. The election, which focused on economic issues and rising living costs, had initially seen Ciolacu leading in exit polls. Despite his low profile, Georgescu, running as an independent, gained momentum by using platforms like TikTok to connect with voters, while mainstream media largely overlooked him.
A former member of the right-wing Alliance for Uniting Romanians party, Georgescu has made controversial statements, including opposition to NATO’s missile defense shield and calls to stop aid to Ukraine. He has also expressed admiration for Romania’s World War II-era leader, Ion Antonescu, who aligned with Nazi Germany.
Georgescu described his rise in the election as a “cry for peace” from the people, signaling a shift in Romania’s political landscape. The country, which shares a border with Ukraine, has been a strong supporter of Ukraine in its war against Russia, providing military aid and hosting NATO defense systems.
