Romanian court orders recount of ballots in presidential election after far-right candidate's lead

Romania's top court has ordered a recount of over 9.4 million ballots from the first round of the presidential election. Far-right candidate Calin Georgescu led with 24 percent of the vote, marking a historic absence of the Social Democratic Party in the runoff. The recount follows protests against Georgescu's campaign, which gained traction on TikTok. Concerns have been raised about foreign influence and the legitimacy of his support. The Central Election Bureau will oversee the recount amid allegations of illegal campaign activities. Georgescu's victory has sparked nightly protests, with critics highlighting his controversial past and foreign policy stance. The election's outcome has led to significant political shifts, including the resignation of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu as party leader.