Independent candidate Calin Georgescu leads Romania's presidential race as mainstream parties struggle

Calin Georgescu, an independent candidate, has taken the lead in Romania's presidential election with about 22% of the vote, surpassing Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu of the Social Democratic Party, who received 20%. The second round is set for December 8. Georgescu's rise marks a significant shift in Romania's political landscape, as he was not widely known before the election. His unexpected success reflects growing discontent with mainstream parties, which many voters feel have lost touch with their needs. Other candidates included Elena Lasconi of the Save Romania Union at 18% and George Simion of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians at 14.1%. Romania will also hold parliamentary elections on December 1.