Far-right candidate takes lead in Romanian presidential election’s 1st round

A far-right, pro-Russia candidate Calin Georgescu has taken a surprise lead in the first round of Romania’s presidential election, the BBC writes.

With more than 99% of votes counted, ultranationalist Calin Georgescu was on 23%, followed by center-right candidate Elena Lasconi of the Save Romania Union and populist social democrat Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, the pre-election favorite.

Georgescu, who has no party of his own, campaigned largely on the social media platform TikTok.
A final run-off for the presidency in Romania will take place on Dec. 8.