Nationalist candidate Calin Georgescu leads in Romania's presidential election vote count
Calin Georgescu, a nationalist candidate, received 22% of the vote in Romania's presidential election, leading Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who garnered 20%. This result, with over 80% of ballots counted, sets up a runoff on December 8. Georgescu's campaign, which targeted young voters on TikTok, marks a significant shift in Romanian politics. He has expressed skepticism about military support for Ukraine and questioned Romania's NATO membership, contrasting with the country's recent support for Ukraine against Russia. The election comes amid a political transition in the U.S. that may influence Ukraine policy. Ciolacu faces challenges ahead of general elections on December 1, following the collapse of his governing coalition and rising economic pressures.