A hard-right critic of NATO who has praised Russia is set to face a center-right opposition leader in a presidential election runoff in Romania that could undermine its pro-Western stance after a shock outcome in the first-round vote.

Romania is reeling after a little-known, far-right populist secured the first round in the presidential election

Romania’s political landscape is reeling after a little-known, far-right populist secured the first round in the presidential election.

Electoral data shows that a far-right populist has taken the lead in Romania’s presidential election and will likely face leftist Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu in a runoff in two weeks.

Calin Georgescu, who has stunned Romania and its European allies by leading the first round of the eastern European country's presidential election, is a far-right, self-styled outsider critical of NATO and of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Calin Georgescu takes shock lead in Romania’s presidential election A far-right, pro-Russia candidate has won the first round of Romania’s presidential elections. Calin Georgescu has defied the polls and surprised the political establishment.