Romania's far-right presidential candidate takes first round in shock poll, PM out

FRANCE 24

25 November 2024 at 3:33 am·1-min read

In a surprise outcome in the first round of Romania's presidential election, obscure hard-right candidate Calin Georgescu came in first place with 22.9 percent of the vote while pro-EU Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu was knocked out of the race despite having been heavily favoured to win, near-complete results showed Monday.

A pro-Russia far-right candidate took a surprise lead Monday 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 percent 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 percent of the ballot in Sunday’s election after 99 percent of the vote was counted, eliminating him from the December 8 run off.

Ciolacu told reporters Monday that his Social Democratic Party (PSD) "won't challenge" the result of Sunday's vote, adding: "The rules of democracy and the importance of the second round are greater than our personal interests."

Alex Tudose, the owner of a construction company, was gloomy.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

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