Calin Georgescu leads Romania's presidential election, set for runoff against Prime Minister Ciolacu

Calin Georgescu, a little-known far-right populist, has taken the lead in Romania's presidential election, with about 22% of the vote. He is expected to face leftist Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who received around 21%, in a runoff on December 8. Georgescu's rise has surprised many, as he was not widely recognized before the election. His campaign has focused on issues like supporting local farmers and reducing imports. He has criticized NATO's missile defense system in Romania, calling it a "shame of diplomacy." Voter turnout was about 52.4%, with 9.4 million ballots cast. The election reflects growing dissatisfaction with mainstream political parties in Romania, as many voters seek alternatives to established candidates.