Head-to-head race in the presidential election in Romania: The pro-Russian candidate Georgescu is just ahead of Prime Minister Ciolacu. The result surprised pollsters.
Romania’s presidential election is likely to be decided only in a run-off election – between the right-wing Călin Georgescu and the Social Democrat Marcel Ciolacu. After more than 90 percent of the votes were counted in yesterday’s election, Georgesc
According to the Central Electoral Office, Georgescu got about 22 percent of the vote, while Ciolacu only got about 20 percent. However, only about half of the votes cast by Romanians abroad were counted. A final result is expected later today.
Pro-Russian posts
The result is more than a surprise to many. Even polls did not predict that right-wing politician Georgescu would enter the runoff election. Georgescu is considered extremely religious and nationalist. In 2022, criminal proceedings were initiated against him for glorifying those responsible for the Holocaust. He represents Russia and was critical of Romania’s NATO membership.
Georgescu has been largely ignored by his competitors and the traditional media, but he is very successful on the online platform TikTok. Commentators in Bucharest on election night said the traditional media and established politicians should be blamed for not paying enough attention to Georgescu’s political propaganda on social media. The poll was not successful either, and the post-election polls on election night did not even indicate the result.
“No more on your knees”
On the eve of the election, Georgescu said in a press conference broadcast via Facebook that the Romanian people had “awakened to consciousness” and expressed that they were ”not to stay on their knees, not to invade, not to be humiliated”. This vote was driven by economic uncertainty. “Tonight the people of Romania asked for ‘peace,'” said Georgescu – probably with a view to Russia’s aggressive war against neighboring Ukraine.
Romania – located in the eastern part of the EU – has around 19 million inhabitants and is considered one of the poorest countries in Europe and borders Ukraine to the north, which has been resisting Russian invasion for almost three years. If Georgescu wins the run-off election on December 8, he could change Romania’s foreign policy, which until now has been tightly aligned with the EU and NATO. In Romania, the President decides foreign and defense policy and is involved in the control of the secret services. He has more power than the Federal President of Germany and less than the head of state in France.
A memorable duel
Candidate George Simion of the far-right parliamentary party AUR, who finished in fourth place with 14 percent of the vote, announced that he would support Georgescu in the run-off election. The candidate from the conservative-liberal Reform Party, Elena Lasconi, took third place with almost 19 percent. She has not yet spoken out in favor of any of the other candidates.
The situation is not entirely new for Romania: A similar decision was made in the presidential election in 2000: At that time, the Social Democratic Party Ion Iliescu and the right-wing extremist Corneliu Vadim Tudor faced the runoff. The democratic parties came together and, thanks to the strong support of European allies, were able to prevent an extremist from holding the highest state office.
With information from Silke Hahne, ARD Studio Vienna
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What are the potential consequences of Călin Georgescu’s nationalist policies on Romania’s economy?
Title: Analyzing Romania’s Political Landscape: An Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Elena Vasilescu
Editor (Time.news): Good morning, Dr. Vasilescu. Thank you for joining us today! With Romania’s recent presidential election results creating quite a stir, can you share your initial thoughts on the unexpected lead of Călin Georgescu?
Dr. Elena Vasilescu: Good morning! Thank you for having me. Indeed, the results are surprising, especially given Georgescu’s nationalist and pro-Russian stance. His rise, particularly among younger voters via social media platforms like TikTok, indicates a significant shift in the political landscape in Romania.
Editor: That’s a great point. Many traditional media outlets and even some political analysts seemed to overlook him. What do you think contributed to his success, despite being largely ignored by mainstream platforms?
Dr. Vasilescu: Georgescu’s adept use of social media allows him to bypass traditional media filters and connect directly with voters. His narrative resonates particularly well amid economic uncertainty, appealing to feelings of nationalism and discontent with the current political establishment. This demonstrates a fundamental change in how political campaigns can, and perhaps should, be conducted.
Editor: His rhetoric around “not being on your knees” certainly captures a historical context. Can you elaborate on what that message signifies for the Romanian electorate?
Dr. Vasilescu: Absolutely. Georgescu’s message taps into a deep-seated historical narrative of sovereignty and resilience, especially in light of Romania’s past and its relationship with Russia. The idea of not being humiliated or invaded strikes a chord, especially given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He’s framing the election as a choice between empowerment and subjugation, and that narrative can be very powerful in uncertain times.
Editor: With his lead being razor-thin against Marcel Ciolacu, what are the implications if Georgescu emerges victorious in the runoff? How might this change Romania’s foreign policy?
Dr. Vasilescu: If Georgescu wins, we could see significant shifts toward a more pro-Russian foreign policy, distancing Romania from EU and NATO alignments. Given Romania’s geographic and strategic position—bordering Ukraine—it’s concerning. It might embolden other populist and nationalist movements, not just in Romania but across Europe, potentially destabilizing longstanding alliances.
Editor: That’s a striking possibility. Considering the current socio-economic context in Romania, what are some potential risks and challenges that may arise from this political shift?
Dr. Vasilescu: The risks include increased political polarization, rising ethnic tensions, and economic instability. Georgescu’s populist approach may lead to short-term gains in support but could ultimately result in neglecting pressing issues like poverty and corruption. Moreover, a pivot toward Russia, especially in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, could jeopardize Romania’s security and economic stability.
Editor: It sounds like the upcoming weeks are crucial for Romania. As a political analyst, what advice would you give to voters who may be disillusioned with the current state of affairs?
Dr. Vasilescu: I would urge voters to stay informed and critically evaluate the candidates’ platforms. The temptation to follow populist rhetoric can be strong, especially in times of crisis. Engaging in discussions, attending political events, and demanding more transparency from candidates can empower voters to make informed decisions that truly reflect their desires for Romania’s future.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Vasilescu, for your insights. Your expertise sheds light on the complexities of Romanian politics and the implications of these election results, which will undoubtedly affect not only Romania but potentially the entire region.
Dr. Vasilescu: Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting, albeit challenging, time for Romania, and I hope for a peaceful and democratic resolution to these elections.