Romania’s political landscape has been shaken after far-right populist and independent candidate Călin Georgescu unexpectedly secured a spot in the presidential election’s runoff, surpassing the incumbent prime minister and other major contenders.
A Shocking Upset
Georgescu, a 62-year-old independent candidate, garnered approximately 22.95% of the vote in the first round, according to near-final results. Reformist Elena Lasconi of the progressive Save Romania Union (USR) party followed closely with 19.17%, narrowly edging out incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), who secured 19.15%.
This marks the first time in Romania’s post-communist history that the PSD has failed to advance to the second round of a presidential election—a major blow to the nation’s most dominant political force.
George Simion, leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), finished fourth with 13.87% of the vote.
A Nation Divided
Voter turnout was around 52.5%, with 9.4 million citizens casting their ballots. In Romania’s large diaspora, Georgescu performed particularly well, securing 43.3% of the vote compared to Lasconi’s 26.8%.
The presidential runoff is set for December 8, and Georgescu’s unexpected rise has drawn significant attention. Most pre-election surveys had predicted he would capture less than 10% of the vote.
Who is Călin Georgescu?
Georgescu, a former representative for Romania on the United Nations Environment Program and a pedologist by training, has no clear political platform. However, his populist rhetoric and grassroots appeal have resonated with many voters disillusioned by mainstream politics.
In a Facebook post after casting his ballot, Georgescu wrote, “For the unjust, for the humiliated, for those who feel they do not matter and actually matter the most … the vote is a prayer for the nation.”
His social media presence, particularly on TikTok, has fueled his popularity, with his videos amassing 1.7 million likes despite the lack of detailed policy proposals.
Elena Lasconi: A Reformist Challenger
Facing Georgescu in the runoff is Elena Lasconi, a former journalist and leader of the USR. She has campaigned on an anti-corruption, reformist platform, emphasizing increased defense spending and support for Ukraine.
In an interview before the vote, Lasconi identified corruption as one of Romania’s greatest challenges. If elected, she would become Romania’s first female president, a historic milestone for the European Union and NATO member state.
The Road Ahead
The next president will serve a five-year term with significant powers over national security, foreign policy, and judicial appointments. Additionally, parliamentary elections on December 1 will determine Romania’s next government and prime minister.
Georgescu’s populist surge underscores widespread anti-establishment sentiment among Romanian voters, while Lasconi’s progressive reformist agenda represents a break from the traditional political mold. The December 8 runoff will determine which vision prevails.