(ANSA) – BELGRADE, NOV 25 – In Romania, after the counting of over 90% of the votes cast in yesterday’s presidential elections, the far-right and pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu took the lead, a real surprise of the consultation, who at the moment the social democratic and pro-European prime minister Marcel Ciolacu is ahead by a couple of points. According to data released by national TV, reported by regional media, Georgescu, who presented himself as independent, stands at just over 22% of the vote, compared to around 20% for Ciolacu. Third is Elena Lasconi, journalist and mayor, leader of the centre-right USR party, who obtains around 17%, and only fourth is George Simion, the other candidate of the pro-Russian far right, just under 15%. Simion was seen as having a strong rise in the polls and was a probable challenger to Ciolacu in the run-off on 8 December, in which – if this situation is confirmed in the final results – Ciolacu and Georgescu will face each other, believed to have anti-Semitic positions and against the continuation of military aid to ‘Ukraine. All the polls on the eve had predicted a victory in the first round for Prime Minister Ciolacu, credited with 25% of the votes. The Social Democratic Prime Minister will still go to the run-off, but his success predicted on the eve will no longer be so certain given the great success of the far right and other conservative candidates, who could come forward in support of Georgescu. A front that could already present itself in the parliamentary elections scheduled in Romania next Sunday 1st December, a week before the presidential run-off. (HANDLE).
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#Elections #Romania #farright #candidate #lead
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– How might the outcome of the Romanian presidential election influence the country’s stance on the war in Ukraine and its relationship with NATO? [[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9dlw5pq967o)]
## Romania on Edge: A Post-Election Interview
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Romania’s presidential election threw up a surprise, with a far-right, pro-Russian candidate taking the lead. Today we have with us two experts to unpack the significance of this unexpected turn.
**Our Guests:**
* **Dr. Adrian Lupescu:** A political scientist specializing in Eastern European politics.
* **Maria Jianu:** A journalist with extensive experience covering Romanian affairs.
**Section 1: The Rise of Calin Georgescu**:
* Dr. Lupescu, the polls predicted a comfortable win for Prime Minister Ciolacu. What do you think caused this unforeseen surge in support for Calin Georgescu?
* Maria, you’ve been closely following this election. Can you shed light on Georgescu’s platform and appeal to voters? What are some of the key issues resonating with Romanians that could have contributed to his success?
**Section 2: Implications for Romania and the Region**:
* Dr. Lupescu, Georgescu is labeled as pro-Russian and has expressed anti-Semitic views. How might his potential presidency impact Romania’s relations with the West and its neighbors?
* Maria, what are the potential implications for Romania’s stance on the war in Ukraine if Georgescu wins? Could this shift Romanian policy regarding military aid?
**Section 3: The Upcoming Runoff and Beyond**:
* Dr. Lupescu, the runoff is set for December 8th. How do you see this race playing out considering the unexpected outcome of the first round? What factors could sway undecided voters?
* Maria, Romania is also holding parliamentary elections next week. How might the presidential election results influence those polls? Could we see a surge in support for similarly positioned parties in parliament?
**Section 4: The Bigger Picture**:
* Dr. Lupescu, do you see Georgescu’s success as part of a wider trend in Europe, where populist and far-right movements are gaining traction?
* Maria, what message does this election send about the state of Romanian society? What are some of the underlying social and economic factors that might be fueling this shift?
**Conclusion:**
The outcome of Romania’s presidential election has far-reaching implications, both domestically and internationally. We thank Dr. Lupescu and Maria Jianu for sharing their insights on this complex and evolving situation. We encourage our viewers to stay informed and engaged with these critical developments.
