Georgescu surprises Romania with first round presidential election win

Calin Georgescu, an independent candidate with a nationalist background, surprised Romania by winning the first round of the presidential election. His campaign focuses on small-scale agriculture, Christian values, and national sovereignty, appealing to voters through social media. Georgescu's rise is notable for his significant use of TikTok, where he gained over 300,000 followers in just two weeks. His victory has raised concerns among Romania's allies, given his critical stance on NATO and the EU, and his past comments on Russian leadership. The Romanian presidency holds substantial influence over foreign policy. Georgescu's controversial remarks and connections to nationalist movements have sparked debate, but he maintains that his platform is not antisemitic or xenophobic.