the worrying first round victory of Calin Georgescu, populist and pro-Russia

Neither the polls nor the traditional media saw this populist novice in politics coming. Calin Georgescu has just won the first round of the presidential election in Romania. His social media videos have made him popular. He is openly inspired by Vladimir Putin with virile scenes. As the master of the Kremlin, he advocates peace in Ukraine, on Russia's terms.

A real earthquake in Romania. With the reinforcement of the far-right candidate, the nationalist and anti-European bloc totaled 36% of the votes. Voters oscillate between surprise and concern: “I’m really stunned.”confides a Romanian. “It’s a shock, it’s a sanction vote against the political class, which is not interested in the people”estimates another local resident.

The Prime Minister, very pro-European, does not even make it to the second round. Another candidate qualified, a former journalist, center-right mayor of a small town. Calin Georgescu, conspiracy theorist, categorically refuses to continue aid to Ukraine, Romania's neighbor.

Watch the full report in the video above.