Far-Right Romanian Candidate Is Frontrunner Even After Turmoil
- Georgescu is ahead of candidate backed by ruling parties
- Poll shows gains by right-wing groups in EU, NATO member state
Supporters of Calin Georgescu protest to reverse the constitutional court ruling cancelling the presidential ballot in Bucharest, on Jan. 10.
Photographer: Andrei Pungovschi/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
A Romanian far-right candidate who shocked the political establishment last year by winning the first round of the presidential election remains the frontrunner as authorities aim to repeat the contest in May.
Calin Georgescu, a fringe independent who has denounced NATO and praised Vladimir Putin, had 38% support among a field of six candidates, according to a survey carried out by pollster Avangarde. Still, a runoff with Crin Antonescu, a former National Liberal Party leader backed by Romania’s ruling factions, would be a tight race, with Georgescu only slightly ahead, the poll showed.