A fascist supporter has sensationally won the first round of elections in Romania. Here’s what you need to know about him.
In Romania, after counting nearly 96.5% of the votes in the presidential elections, the ultra-nationalist candidate Kelin Georgescu has emerged as the leader. The current Prime Minister of the country, the pro-European and pro-Ukrainian candidate Marcel Colacu, is in second place.
This was reported in a message on the website of Romania's Central Electoral Commission. Overall, after the vote counting, the results for different candidates in the elections are as follows:
- Kelin Georgescu – 22.26% (1,892,483 votes);
- Marcel Colacu – 20.13% (1,713,811 votes);
- Elena Lasconi – 18.15% (1,539,505 votes);
- Jorge Simion – 14.12% (1,203,233 votes);
- Nicolae Cuke – 9.07% (773,033 votes);
- Mircea Geoană – 6.23% (530,307 votes);
- Hunor Kelemen – 4.83% (411,577 votes);
- Christian Diaconescu – 3.08% (262,571 votes);
- Christian Terhes – 1.01% (86,134 votes).
- Others – less than 1%.
Kelin Georgescu is known as a religious nationalist and allegedly "anti-system," but in reality, he is a pro-Russian candidate. Even before the elections, he made a series of controversial statements, including a narrative claiming that the EU and NATO do not adequately represent Romania's interests. Georgescu consistently spreads narratives of Kremlin propaganda – for instance, that the war in Ukraine is supposedly provoked and managed by American military companies, and that Ukraine is an "artificial formation" rather than a state. It is also worth noting that Georgescu is clearly supported by China, as he, a relatively unknown university professor, skillfully utilized the Chinese social network TikTok to rally voters around him. Apparently, the platform provided him with preferential promotion compared to other candidates.
Interestingly, Georgescu has faced criticism for his previous comments supporting the fascist legionary movement of 20th-century Romania. Notably, during that period, Romania encroached on Ukrainian Bessarabia. Therefore, it is not difficult to predict the political priorities of this individual.
"Telegraph" previously reported that Russia is once again attempting to interfere in foreign elections. This time, it concerns Romania, where presidential and parliamentary elections will take place at the end of November and the beginning of December this year.
Let us remind you that in neighboring Moldova, the current president Maya Sandu won the elections, despite attempts by the Kremlin to intervene. Commenting on her victory, she stated: "We have proven that by uniting, we can defeat those who wanted to bring us to our knees." However, despite the victory of the pro-European candidate in Moldova, challenges for the country have not ended.