Pro-Western parties lead Romania's election despite far-right gains

Pro-Western parties in Romania emerged as the leading group in the recent parliamentary election, with the Social Democrats receiving the most votes. However, far-right nationalists, particularly the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), gained significant support, complicating coalition efforts. The far-right AUR party secured second place, surpassing the National Liberal Party, and two smaller hard-right parties also entered parliament. This shift indicates a growing anti-establishment sentiment among voters, which may hinder pro-Western parties from forming a stable majority government. A presidential runoff is set for next Sunday between far-right candidate Calin Georgescu and liberal centrist Elena Lasconi. The election has raised concerns about political stability, with allegations of electoral violations and foreign interference surfacing amid the turmoil.