Far-right candidate tops first-round of Romania's presidential poll

RFI

25 November 2024 at 6:38 am·2-min read

Calin Georgescu, running as an independent candidate for president, in Bucharest, Romania, Tuesday, 1 October, 2024.

Romania's political landscape is reeling after a little-known, far-right populist secured the first round in Sunday's presidential election, going from an obscure candidate to beating the incumbent prime minister.

Calin Georgescu, who ran as an independent for Romania's presidency, will face off against reformist Elena Lasconi in a runoff in two weeks time.

By this Monday morning, 62-year-old, pro-Russian Georgescu, was ahead after nearly all ballots were counted with almost 23 percent of the vote.

Elena Valerica Lasconi of the progressive Save Romania Union party followed with just over 19 percent, beating the incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu of the Social Democratic Party by a slim margin of only a fraction of a percentage point.

George Simion, the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians garnered just under 14 percent.

It is the first time in Romania’s 35-year post-communist history for the Social Democrats not to have a candidate in the second round of a presidential race, serving a huge blow to the country’s most powerful party and underscoring voters’ anti-establishment sentiment.

'Prayer for the nation'

After polls closed on Sunday, 9.4 million people – over 52 percent of eligible voters – had cast their ballots, according to the Central Election Bureau.

The second round of the vote will be held on 8 December.

"Tonight, the Romanian people cried out for peace. And they shouted very loudly, extremely loudly," he said.

He has also sounded a sceptical note on Romania’s NATO membership.

Australian Associated Press
American Veerman wins in Sun City from five behind
Johannes Veerman has won the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City after starting the final round from five shots behind.
Australian Associated Press
Norris wins Abu Dhabi GP as McLaren celebrate F1 crown
Lando Norris has won the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to ensure McLaren lifted the F1 constructors' title.
Australian Associated Press
Dean hat-trick inspires England women to beat S Africa
England spinner Charlie Dean has taken a hat-trick to help her side crush South Africa by six wickets in their Durban ODI.
Australian Associated Press
Phoenix upset Roar, Western pile pain on Sydney in ALW
Wellington have upset Brisbane in the A-League Women, while Western United piled more pain on Sydney FC and Adelaide beat Newcastle.
Australian Associated Press
Romanian democracy 'cancelled' with election: candidate
A court's decision to annul Romania's ongoing presidential election is a blow to democracy, the pro-Russian candidate who was leading the first-round vote says.
Australian Associated Press
Kuol double lifts Mariners to ALM win over Sky Blues
Determined to rebound from a disappointing AFC Champions League Elite campaign, Central Coast defeated 10-man Sydney FC 2-1 courtesy of an Alou Kuol double.
Australian Associated Press
Aussie James gets halfpipe season underway with silver
Scotty James has gone close to defending his halfpipe title at Secret Garden in China, finishing second in the opening event of the new World Cup season.
Australian Associated Press
Crawford clings on to win Vic PGA by a stroke
Queenslander Cory Crawford has put the icing on a long recovery from a back injury to win the Victorian PGA by one shot from American Tyler McCumber.
Australian Associated Press
De Minaur tipped for third Newcombe Medal
Hot favourite Alex de Minaur is expected to claim the Newcombe Medal as Australian tennis's player of the year ahead of Alexei Popyrin.
Australian Associated Press
More to come from Victory in ALM: Kisnorbo
Melbourne Victory have made light work of struggling Perth Glory, claiming a 2-0 ALM win at AAMI Park through goals to Zinedine Machach and Adama Traore.
Australian Associated Press
Perry, Voll tons help Aussie women crush India in ODI
Centuries to Ellyse Perry and Georgia Voll have lifted Australia to a 122-run women's ODI win over India in Brisbane.
Australian Associated Press
Cotton's superb form continues as Perth beat Sixers
Bryce Cotton has produced another dazzling individual performance as the Perth Wildcats defeated the Adelaide 36ers.
Australian Associated Press
Aussies return to best in thumping Adelaide Test win
Australia have squared the Border-Gavaskar series with an emphatic 10-wicket second Test win against India at the Adelaide Oval.
Australian Associated Press
Two dead, several wounded in spate of stabbings
Two men in two states have been charged with murder as police investigate a spate of stabbings.
Australian Associated Press
Tasmania hit back but Redbacks still in control
Tasmania will resume play on the final day at 1-41 chasing 429 for victory against South Australia in Hobart.
Australian Associated Press
India's Siraj accuses Head of abuse and lying
India paceman Mohammed Siraj has accused Travis Head of lying but the Australian isn't going to let it ruin a second Test triumph.
Australian Associated Press
Swepson stars as Bulls pip Victoria in Shield thriller
Queensland have notched their first win of the Sheffield Shield season following match-winning bowling displays from Mitch Swepson and Mark Steketee.
Australian Associated Press
NSW star Patterson ends long Shield century drought
NSW veteran Kurtis Patterson has scored an unbeaten 167 to lift his side to 9-463 in their Sheffield Shield first innings against Western Australia.
Australian Associated Press
Gutsy Bullets snap Melb United NBL hoodoo
The Brisbane Bullets have lived up to their name with a brilliant shooting performance that sealed their upset defeat of NBL heavyweights Melbourne United.
Australian Associated Press
Alexandre Pantoja keeps flyweight MMA belt
Alexandre Pantoja successfully defended his flyweight title with a technical submission of Kai Asakura, using a rear naked choke to put his challenger to sleep.

'Prayer for the nation'

Latest stories