Unexpected Turns in Romania's Presidential Election: Pro-Russia Candidate Leads as Runoff Looms
In a surprising twist during Romania's presidential election, pro-Russia candidate Cailin Georgescu has taken a narrow lead, according to partial preliminary results released following the polls held on November 24. With 97.6% of polling stations reporting, Georgescu garnered 22.37% of the votes, signaling a potential shift in the political landscape of the country.
In what’s shaping up to be a closely contested race, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu—representing the pro-Western Social Democrats—trails with 19.83%. As the election heads towards an expected runoff, centerright candidate Elena Lasconi from the Save Romania Union stands third with 18.56% of the votes, while George Simion of the ultranationalist Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) secured 14.02%. Experts have suggested that results from larger cities could change the dynamics of the race as they are expected to favor Ciolacu and Lasconi.
Two exit polls projected Ciolacu to receive around 25% of the total votes, with Lasconi following at approximately 18%. Georgescu and Simion were predicted to trail with 14.16%. Notably, the exit polls didn’t account for diaspora votes, where both Lasconi and Simion are anticipated to perform better.
Should no candidate achieve more than 50% of the total votes, a runoff is planned for December 8, closely following the parliamentary election set for December 1. Ciolacu was the frontrunner going into the election, and pre-vote surveys indicated five candidates held potential to advance to the next round.
Georgescu, 62, has faced media scrutiny for his pro-Russia stance yet claimed the significant vote share reflects a victory for all Romanians. He argued that socioeconomic changes were evident, suggesting that the wealthy elite have become poorer while the impoverished population has seen improvements, echoing sentiments of a national awakening. He is noted for utilizing social media platforms like TikTok to engage younger voters.
Meanwhile, Lasconi maintains a strong position, despite the uncertainty. She has openly opposed any ideas promoting territorial concessions from Ukraine to Russia, asserting that it would only encourage Russian aggression. Her advocacy for NATO's increased presence in Romania highlights a stark contrast to Georgescu's and Simion's positions.
Observers note that the outcome of this election carries significant implications for Romania's stance in European and global contexts, particularly regarding NATO and EU relations. Voters are increasingly concerned about candidates’ foreign policy positions, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and potential changes in U.S. policy with an anticipated shift in leadership.
The voter turnout was reported at just over 52%, slightly higher than the 51.18% seen in the first round of the 2019 presidential election. Polling stations in Bucharest experienced long lines as voters cast their ballots.
In a notable demographic shift, diaspora voting has seen a significant increase, with around 675,000 ballots cast by 6 PM on election day—an improvement of approximately 90,000 from the 2019 election. This increase was also observed among Romanians voting from Moldova, where 80,942 cast their votes, a record high for the region.
As the election continues to unfold, the participation from older citizens, including at least 50 Romanians over the age of 100 expected to vote, illustrates the diverse engagement across different age groups. With Romania's presidency holding crucial powers over national security and foreign policy decisions, the results of these elections will undoubtedly shape the nation’s trajectory in the coming years.
Related Sources: