In a surprising twist, hard-right populist and NATO critic Calin Georgescu has surged into the lead in Romania’s presidential election, casting uncertainty over the country’s pro-Western orientation. With 98% of the ballots counted, Georgescu secured nearly 23% of the vote, narrowly edging out centre-left Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who garnered about 20%, according to partial results from the Central Electoral Bureau. Georgescu is now poised to face Ciolacu in a run-off election on December 8.
The result marks a significant upset in the political landscape, as Georgescu, 62, was a relatively unknown figure before the election. Having previously held roles in Romania’s Ministry of Environment during the 1990s, Georgescu entered the race as an independent candidate. Polls before the election had placed his support at a modest 5%, making his rise to the top a dramatic shift. Avoiding mainstream media, he relied heavily on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, to connect with voters, propelling his campaign to unexpected heights.
Trailing behind Georgescu and Ciolacu was Elena Lasconi of the centre-right Save Romania Union party, with nearly 19% of the vote, followed by George Simion of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians at 14%. Exit polls had initially projected Ciolacu in the lead, with Lasconi as his closest challenger, in a race shaped by economic concerns and the rising cost of living.
Georgescu’s platform includes controversial positions that challenge Romania’s traditional alliances. He has been vocal about ending military and economic aid to Ukraine, which has been fighting a Russian invasion since 2022. He also opposes the NATO missile defence station on Romanian soil, calling it a “shame of diplomacy.” In a 2021 interview, he questioned NATO’s ability to protect member states in the event of a Russian attack. His views on Romania’s history have also sparked criticism, including his stance that World War II-era leader Ion Antonescu, who allied with Adolf Hitler, should be considered a national hero.
Romania, a NATO and EU member state, shares a 650-km border with Ukraine and has been a steadfast supporter of Kyiv, providing military aid and hosting a training centre for Ukrainian marines. Georgescu’s rise has raised concerns about whether this stance might shift under his potential leadership. In his victory speech on Sunday, Georgescu declared that the election results reflected the people’s “cry for peace,” signaling a potential pivot in Romania’s geopolitical strategy as the nation heads to the decisive run-off vote.
