Romania’s Presidential Election Upset: Nationalist Candidate Takes Early Lead

Presidential hopeful Calin Georgescu, an opponent of providing military aid to Ukraine, has unexpectedly taken the lead in Romania’s election, surprising established candidates. 

Preliminary results indicate that Romanian nationalist Calin Georgescu is projected to win the first round of the presidential election, defying expectations.

With over 80 percent of the votes counted early Monday, Georgescu, known for his anti-war stance regarding Ukraine, holds a narrow lead with 22.1 percent of the vote, just ahead of incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu at slightly over 22 percent.

Georgescu, a nationalist and ultra-religious figure, campaigned on reducing Romania’s import dependence and increasing domestic food and energy production. He has openly criticized Romania’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict, claiming that NATO and the EU do not serve Romanian interests and alleging the war is manipulated by American military corporations.

This outcome is a significant upset, as Elena Lasconi, considered a reform candidate, was predicted to advance to the runoff but currently stands at 15.3 percent. Far-right candidate George Simion, also a strong contender, is trailing with 14.8 percent of the vote. 

The final results of the first round remain uncertain pending further vote counts.

Georgescu’s views, while resonating with a considerable portion of the electorate, have also attracted substantial criticism, particularly due to his past association with Romania’s 20th-century fascist Legionary Movement.

A relatively new political figure, Georgescu effectively utilized social media platforms, such as TikTok, to mobilize voters, capitalizing on public dissatisfaction with the current government’s foreign policy. He has cultivated a considerable following, particularly among those disillusioned with the government’s approach to international affairs.

Voter turnout reached 52.5 percent, slightly exceeding the 2019 presidential election. The second round of voting is scheduled for December 8, following parliamentary elections next Sunday.