Romanian gov't party backs centrist presidential candidate in run-off against hard-right rival

Romania's Liberal Party (PNL), part of the ruling coalition, has endorsed a centrist opposition candidate in the upcoming presidential election run-off, as the country braces for a decisive vote that could elevate an anti-NATO politician to the presidency.

Elena Lasconi

EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT

Independent hard-right candidate Călin Georgescu, 62, who had been polling in single digits before the election, shocked observers by winning the first round on Sunday, the Reuters news agency reported.

His success has raised concerns about potential shifts in Bucharest's staunch pro-NATO and pro-Ukraine stance.

A far-right candidate who gained meager support in Romania's pre-election public polls stunned rivals by winning the largest share of votes in a presidential election, and will now face a run-off with a center-right candidate https://t.co/UkEo4ewfWM pic.twitter.com/WNJ8pL4Hra

— Reuters (@Reuters) November 26, 2024

The leaders of Romania's ruling coalition parties—the leftist Social Democrats (PSD) and the centre-right Liberals (PNL)—both failed to advance to the second round.

This unprecedented outcome reflects voters' rejection of establishment politics, Reuters reported.

In response, both party leaders resigned.

Hiszpańska prasa: prorosyjski Georgescu zagraża zachodniej ścieżce Rumunii#PAPinformacje https://t.co/dCBvPaMmmB

— PAP (@PAPinformacje) November 26, 2024

Ilie Bolojan, the newly appointed head of the Liberal Party, announced late on Monday that the party would back Elena Lasconi, a centre-right, pro-European candidate and leader of the opposition Save Romania Union (USR), in the decisive run-off.

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Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters

Click on the audio player above for a report by Radio Poland's Michał Owczarek.