International

Călin Georgescu’s shock victory in Romania’s presidential election

A huge surprise in the first round of the presidential election in Romania. Călin Georgescu, a candidate who ran his campaign on TikTok and previously gained attention for his anti-European and even pro-Russian views, won the first round of the presidential race.

Two years ago, he was the honorary president of the AUR party, which is considered extremist in Romania. In the second round, Călin Georgescu will face either the Social Democrat leader Marcel Ciolacu or the representative of the right, Elena Lasconi. Less than 1% of the votes remain to be counted, and Ciolacu's lead is only a few thousand votes.

The first round of Romania’s presidential election has delivered the biggest electoral surprise in the past 34 years. A relatively unknown candidate, with ultra-nationalist rhetoric, legionary views, anti-European opinions, and occasional pro-Russian leanings, has emerged victorious in the initial round of the race for the highest office in the country.

Overlooked by opinion polls and disregarded by other candidates, Călin Georgescu, a 62-year-old agronomist, seemingly came out of nowhere to garner almost 23% of the vote after running an intensive social media campaign, particularly on TikTok.

Previously, he was the honorary president of AUR, a party deemed extremist, and stood out for his controversial statements against the West and in favour of Russia. Moreover, he has expressed admiration for controversial figures in Romania’s history, such as Marshal Ion Antonescu and Corneliu Zelea Codreanu, the leader of the infamous Iron Guard before World War II.

Two years ago, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, Călin Georgescu stated that Vladimir Putin “loves his country,” and regarding NATO, he claimed it would not protect any of its members if attacked by Russia, adding that the best solution for Romania would be, I quote, “Russian wisdom.”

Finally, it remains unclear who Călin Georgescu will face in the second round of the presidential elections.

With less than 1% of votes left to count, the lead of PSD leader Marcel Ciolacu, the current prime minister, over the right-wing representative, USR president Elena Lasconi, is under 4,000 votes. Both have received approximately 19% of the electorate’s support.

Radio Moldova correspondent in Bucharest, Mircea Oprea

Translation by Iurie Tataru

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