Far-right candidate Calin Georgescu leads in Romanian presidential runoff vote
Romanians are voting in a presidential runoff on December 4, where far-right candidate Calin Georgescu is expected to challenge pro-European centrist Elena Lasconi. Georgescu, a NATO critic, won the first round on November 24, surprising many. Georgescu's rise reflects growing support for far-right politics amid economic crises and distrust in institutions. He has positioned himself as an outsider against the political establishment, while Lasconi emphasizes the importance of NATO and EU ties. If Georgescu wins, it could shift Romania's political landscape closer to other Eastern European nations with far-right leaders. His policies remain unclear, but he has expressed a desire for Romania to assert its interests within NATO and the EU.