A pro-Russia *far-right candidate has taken a surprise lead in Romania's presidential election*, knocking the EU-leaning premier out of the race that will be decided in a December run off.
The *result is a political earthquake in the country of 19 million,* a NATO member which has so far resisted nationalist appeals, setting itself apart from neighbours Hungary and Slovakia.
Far-right candidate *Calin Georgescu was in pole position with 22.94% of the ballot,* followed by the little-known Elena Lasconi, the centre-right mayor of a small town.
*Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu was in third place with 19.15%* of the ballot in Sunday's election after 99% of the vote was counted, *eliminating him from the December 8 run off.*
*Georgescu surged in the race for the largely ceremonial post* in recent days with a *viral TikTok campaign calling for an end to aid for Ukraine.* He has also sounded a sceptical note on Romania's NATO membership.
A pro-Russia *far-right candidate has taken a surprise lead in Romania's presidential election*, knocking the EU-leaning premier out of the race that will be decided in a December run off.
🇷🇴 🗳️ The *result is a political earthquake in the country of 19 million,* a NATO member which has so far resisted nationalist appeals, setting itself apart from neighbours Hungary and Slovakia.
Far-right candidate *Calin Georgescu was in pole position with 22.94% of the ballot,* followed by the little-known Elena Lasconi, the centre-right mayor of a small town.
*Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu was in third place with 19.15%* of the ballot in Sunday's election after 99% of the vote was counted, *eliminating him from the December 8 run off.*
*Georgescu surged in the race for the largely ceremonial post* in recent days with a *viral TikTok campaign calling for an end to aid for Ukraine.* He has also sounded a sceptical note on Romania's NATO membership.
