Reformist Elena Lasconi (USR) and far-right independent Călin Georgescu, both of which upended the Romanian political scene by besting the candidates of the largest parties to make it in the second round of the presidential elections,

By Iulian Ernst in Bucharest The final results of the November 24 presidential election first round in Romania confirmed that far-right, pro-Russian independent candidate Călin Georgescu was the winner with 22.

The independent candidate Călin Georgescu obtained 22.38% of the votes in the first round of the presidential elections.

The European Union’s sixth most populous country is grappling with a pressing question: how did an unknown far-right leader, running without the backing of any political party, manage to win the first round of the presidential elections?

The pro-Russian nationalist candidate Calin Georgescu had racked up a definitive 350,000 vote lead in an upset in Romania's presidential election as counting in the first round wound to a finish Monday.

Calin Georgescu takes shock lead in Romania’s presidential election A far-right, pro-Russia candidate has won the first round of Romania’s presidential elections. Calin Georgescu has defied the polls and surprised the political establishment.