The political landscape in Romania is reeling after a little-known, far-right populist secured the first round in the presidential election, electoral data showed Monday, going from an obscure candidate to beating the incumbent prime minister.
Calin Georgescu, who ran independently, will face off against reformist Elena Lasconi in a runoff in two weeks.
Lasconi of the progressive Save Romania Union party, or USR, followed with 19.17%.
Between 1999 and 2012, he was a representative for Romania on the national committee of the United Nations Environment Program.
Romania will also hold parliamentary elections on Dec. 1 that will determine the country’s next government and prime minister.
Persons:
Calin Georgescu, Elena Lasconi, Georgescu, Marcel Ciolacu, George Simion, —, Lasconi
Organizations:
Romania Union, Social Democratic Party, Alliance, Unity, PSD, Bureau, European Union, NATO, Facebook, Romania, United Nations Environment, Associated Press
Locations:
Romania, Romania’s, pedology, Ukraine