Romania's pro-EU parties lead parliamentary vote as far-right gains ground

In Romania's parliamentary vote, early results show the center-left Social Democratic Party (PSD) leading with about 25% of the vote, while the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) follows with nearly 20%. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu emphasized the PSD's performance as a sign of support for continued pro-EU policies. To form a government, the PSD may need to ally with the center-right National Liberal Party (PNL) and others. In the upcoming presidential election on December 8, neither the PSD nor PNL qualified for the second round. Instead, Elena Lasconi of the Save Romania Union (USR) will compete against Georgescu, while three far-right parties collectively hold significant support.