Pro-Putin Newcomer Delivers Shock to Romania’s Establishment
- Georgescu, a populist ultranationalist, secures unexpected win
- Premier Ciolacu eliminated in upset to traditional parties
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A little-known pro-Russian candidate won the first round of Romania’s presidential election after an unprecedented backlash against establishment candidates eliminated Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, the presumed frontrunner, from the contest.
The result is one of the biggest shakeups in Romanian politics since the collapse of Nicolae Ceausescu’s communist regime 35 years ago and adds fuel to Europe’s lurch to the political right. Next Sunday, the European Union member state holds parliamentary elections, which now threaten to break the hold of Romania’s traditional parties.