Ultranationalist Călin Georgescu has come from nowhere to lead Romania’s presidential first round ahead of center-left Premier Marcel Ciolacu and pro-Western mayor Elena Lasconi in first round.
The pro-Russia supporter who has sympathies with Romania’s Nazi-allied Legionnaires of the 1930s and 1940s is on track to make it to the final round of presidential elections, according to near-finall results, with more than 97 percent of votes counted
The partial results show Georgescu leading with 22.2 percent with just 5,000 votes separating Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and reformist candidate Elena Lasconi. Another hard-right candidate, George Simion, trails with 14.1 percent support, with 96 percent of ballots counted/
An early exit poll had suggested that Lasconi was set to qualify for the presidential runoff but Georgescu surged as vote counting continued Sunday night, heralding a result that is set to upend Romanian politics. Preliminary results are subject to change as votes continue to come in.
After polls closed, Georgescu called the result “an amazing awakening” of the Romanian people.
Georgescu, fervently religious and nationalistic, ran a campaign in rural areas and TikTok calling for Romania to reduce imports, supporting for farmers and increasing the domestic production of food and energy.
He argues that the EU and NATO do not properly represent Romanian interests and claimed Russia’s war in Ukraine, a Romanian neighbor, is manipulated by American military companies.
He has praised Russian culture and described Putin as “a man who loves his country.” He also admires Hungary he said because it knows how to negotiate internationally.
Dan Perry in Bucharest: Romania votes amid minimal drama (and concerns about appeasing Russia)
