Elena Lasconi

Romania's pro-European parties have initiated efforts to form a unified political strategy amid a tense political landscape following the annulment of the presidential elections by the Constitutional Court.

Romania's Constitutional Court has annulled the recent presidential election, a decision made amidst growing concerns of foreign interference and manipulation. The move comes as Romanians abroad had already started casting their votes in the runoff election initially scheduled for December 8.

Calin Georgescu, the unexpected frontrunner in Romania's presidential elections, has pledged to halt all support for Ukraine if he secures victory in the upcoming runoff against pro-European candidate Elena Lasconi.

The Constitutional Court of Romania has upheld the results of the first round of the presidential election held on November 24, solidifying plans for a run-off on December 8 between nationalist candidate Călin Georgescu and Elena Lasconi, the center-right leader of the "Save Romania Union" (USR).

A pro-Russia far-right candidate took a surprise lead on Monday in Romania's presidential election, knocking the EU-leaning premier out of the race that will be decided in a December run off.

The result is a political earthquake in the country of 19 million, a NATO member which has so far resisted nationalist appeals, setting itself apart from neighbors Hungary and Slovakia.

A Romanian hard-right NATO critic and centre-right opposition party leader will likely face each other in a Dec. 8 presidential run-off vote, results showed, in an unexpected outcome that threatens Romania's staunchly pro-Ukraine stance.

With 99.9% of votes counted, hard-right Calin Georgescu, 62, had 22.9%, while centre-right contender Elena Lasconi was second with 19.16%.

Romania's incumbent Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), is set to be eliminated in the first round of the country's presidential election, paving the way for a run-off between two right-wing candidates. With 99.9% of the votes counted as of Monday morning, pro-Russian, hard-right, NATO-sceptic Calin Georgescu was leading the race with 22.9% of the vote.

Calin Georgescu, an independent candidate with a pro-Russian stance, has emerged as the frontrunner in the first round of Romania's presidential election, securing 22.16% of the votes, according to the Permanent Electoral Authority.