Calin Georgescu takes unexpected lead in Romania's presidential election

Calin Georgescu, an independent candidate, has unexpectedly taken the lead in Romania's presidential election, with about 22% of the vote counted. He is likely to face leftist Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who has around 20%, in a runoff on December 8. The election saw a turnout of over 52% of eligible voters, with 9.4 million ballots cast. Other candidates included Elena Lasconi at 18% and George Simion at 14.1%. Georgescu's rise has surprised many, as he was not widely known before the election. The political landscape in Romania is shifting, with dissatisfaction over economic issues influencing voter preferences. The president has significant powers, and the election follows parliamentary elections scheduled for the same month.