Calin Georgescu surprises with first round win in Romania's presidential election

Calin Georgescu, a far-right populist, unexpectedly won the first round of Romania's presidential election, advancing to a runoff against reformist Elena Lasconi. Most polls had predicted he would receive less than 10% of the vote. Georgescu, 62, previously a member of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, left the party in 2022 amid internal conflicts. He has controversial views, including praise for historical nationalist leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin, though he denies being pro-Russian. His rise is attributed to his strong presence on TikTok, where he gained millions of views and followers in a short time. Georgescu's campaign focuses on supporting local farmers, reducing imports, and enhancing Romania's role in international affairs.