First given a clear lead by the exit polls, the 56-year-old social-democrat leader saw his 62-year-old far-right rival, Calin Georgescu, rise in the evening. After counting 98.66% of the ballots, Mr. Georgescu received 22.59% of the votes, compared to 19.55% for Mr. Ciolacu.
Elena Lasconi, center-right mayor of a small town, comes in third place at 18.84%. Favored by the far right before the election, George Simion of the AUR party (Alliance for the Unity of Romanians) must be content with 4th place, at 13.94%.
As it stands, MM. Georgescu and Ciolacu are expected to face each other in a second round scheduled for December 8, with legislative elections on December 1 in the meantime. Whatever the outcome of the vote, “the far right is by far the big winner of this election”, with more than 35% of the votes, commented political scientist Cristian Pirvulescu. According to experts, she took advantage of a tense social and geopolitical climate in this loyal EU and NATO member state, located at the gates of Ukraine.
It is an upheaval for this country of 19 million inhabitants which has until now resisted nationalist postures, distinguishing itself from Hungary or Slovakia. The President of the Romanian Republic occupies an essentially ceremonial function but exercises an important moral magisterium.
Campagne TikTok
George Simion congratulated his opponent, rejoicing that a “sovereignist” found himself in the second round. With his passionate speech with mystical and conspiratorial overtones, Mr. Simion, 38, a big fan of Donald Trump, was considered one of the favorites. But if he was able to capitalize on the distress of a part of the population impoverished by high inflation, he also wanted to project a moderate image which “was a disservice to the most radical”, analyzes Mr. Pirvulescu.
Conversely, Mr. Georgescu has attracted attention in recent days with a TikTok campaign that has gone viral, focused on the need to stop aid to Ukraine. “Tonight, the Romanian people cried out for peace. And he shouted very loudly, extremely loudly,” he reacted.
“Change”
After ten years in power of Klaus Iohannis, a fervent supporter of kyiv who became very unpopular due in particular to his costly trips abroad financed with public money, the Romanians have therefore set their sights on anti-system candidates, against a backdrop of rising ultra-conservative movements in Europe.
In Bucharest, several residents confided their desire for “change, to finally see things move”, like Andreea Irimie, a 29-year-old teacher, who came to vote on a cold sunny Sunday, others speaking of their fear of war. Romania, sharing a 650-kilometer border with Ukraine and bordered by the Black Sea, plays a “vital” strategic role, recalls the New Strategy Center think tank in a study. Both for NATO, of which it houses more than 5,000 soldiers, and for the transit of Ukrainian cereals.
