Shock in Romania after little-known, far-right populist secures lead in presidential election

 

Shock in Romania after little-known, far-right populist secures lead in presidential election

 

By David O'Sullivan with AP

Published on 25/11/2024 - 19:50 GMT+1

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/11/25/shock-in-romania-after-little-known-far-right-populist-secures-lead-in-presidential-electi

 

According to his website, Calin Georgescu holds a doctorate in pedology, a branch of soil science, and held different positions in Romania’s environment ministry in the 1990s.

 

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

 

Calin Georgescu, who ran independently, will face off against reformist Elena Lasconi in a runoff in two weeks.

 

With around 22.95% of the vote after nearly all ballots were counted, Georgescu was ahead.

 

Most local surveys predicted he would win less than 10% of the vote.

 

Lasconi, of the progressive Save Romania Union party, or USR, followed with 19.17%. 

 

She beat incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu from the Social Democratic Party, or PSD, who stood at 19.15%. 

 

Allegations of influence by 'social media engineering'

It’s the first time in Romania’s post-communist history that the PSD doesn’t have a candidate in the second round of a presidential race, representing a huge blow to the country’s historical most powerful party and underscoring voter anti-establishment sentiment.

 

Ciolacu's shocking defeat prompted him to submit his resignation as PSD leader on Monday.

 

Political analyst Eugen Șerbănescu called the result "surprising" and hoped that voters will  "orient themselves better," in the second-round voting, and redirect their dissatisfaction with Romania's political landscape.

 

He said that "social media engineering" has likely played a role in the election. 

 

After polls closed on Sunday, 9.4 million people — about 52.5% of eligible voters — had cast ballots, according to the Central Election Bureau. 

 

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

 

In Romania, the president serves a five-year term and has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security, foreign policy and judicial appointments.