Who is Calin Georgescu, far-right outsider who has surprised Europe in Romania's presidential election?

Calin Georgescu, a little-known far-right populist, surged ahead in the first round of the presidential election in Romania.

Georgescu’s unexpected rise has left the political establishment stunned and reshaped the dynamics of a race that many believed would be a contest between mainstream candidates.

Calin Georgescu, 62, entered the presidential race as an independent candidate with little initial support. As of October, pollster Inscop listed him with less than 0.4 per cent support. By November, his standing had marginally improved to 5.4 per cent, still far from competitive.

Yet, in Sunday’s election, he garnered 22.95 per cent of the vote, outpacing leftist Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), who received 19.15 per cent, and progressive candidate Elena Lasconi of the Save Romania Union (USR), who narrowly edged Ciolacu with 19.17 per cent.

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Georgescu’s appeal appears to be rooted in widespread dissatisfaction with Romania’s political elite. Euronews quoted political consultant Cristian Andrei who described his success as “a large protest or revolt against the establishment,” pointing to the failure of mainstream parties to connect with ordinary citizens.

Electoral turnout stood at 52.5 per cent, with Georgescu securing a significant 43.3 per cent of votes cast by the Romanian diaspora, a group traditionally critical of the political establishment.

Who is Calin Georgescu?

Born in 1961, Georgescu studied at the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Bucharest and later attended the National Defence College. He holds a doctorate in pedology, a branch of soil science, and has served in Romania’s environment ministry.

Between 1999 and 2012, he represented Romania on the national committee of the United Nations Environment Programme.

Despite his credentials, Georgescu is best known for his controversial political affiliations and rhetoric. He was previously associated with the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), which proposed him as their prime ministerial candidate twice.

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However, his praise for Ion Antonescu, Romania’s World War II dictator and a Nazi collaborator, led to public backlash and legal scrutiny. Romania’s General Prosecutor’s Office accused him of promoting individuals guilty of genocide, prompting his departure from AUR in 2022.

Georgescu has also sparked outrage for referring to NATO’s ballistic missile defence shield in Deveselu as a “shame of diplomacy” and claiming the alliance would fail to protect its members in the event of Russian aggression.

His pro-Russian sentiments have been underscored by statements such as praising Russian President Vladimir Putin as one of the world’s few true leaders and advocating for what he calls “Russian wisdom” in diplomacy.

How did Georgescu become popular?

Georgescu’s campaign strategy has relied heavily on populist messaging and a strong social media presence. On TikTok, where he boasts 3.4 million followers and over 1.7 million likes, Georgescu shares videos of himself attending church, practicing judo, running, and speaking on podcasts.

This unconventional approach has resonated with younger voters and those disillusioned with traditional political campaigns.

His platform is vague yet provocative, highlighting domestic self-reliance. Georgescu has called for reducing Romania’s reliance on imports, increasing domestic food and energy production, and supporting farmers.

These positions align with his nationalist rhetoric but lack detailed policy proposals.

Will Georgescu win the runoff?

Georgescu’s success sets the stage for a highly polarised runoff against Elena Lasconi, a former journalist running on an anti-corruption platform. If Lasconi wins, she will become Romania’s first female president.

Both candidates represent a departure from the political status quo, but their platforms differ starkly. While Lasconi champions pro-European and pro-NATO policies, Georgescu has positioned himself as a critic of Romania’s Western alignment.

The runoff, scheduled for December 8, will determine the next president of a country pivotal to Nato and the European Union. Romania shares a 650-kilometre border with Ukraine and has played a critical role in facilitating grain exports and providing military aid to Kyiv.

Georgescu’s potential victory could signal a shift in Romania’s foreign policy, particularly regarding its support for Ukraine and relations with NATO.

How will Romania’s elections impact EU, Nato?

The outcome of this election will have significant ramifications for Romania’s future. The president, who serves a five-year term, holds key responsibilities, including commanding the military, appointing judicial officials, and representing Romania at EU and NATO summits.

Georgescu’s anti-establishment rhetoric, coupled with his controversial views on NATO and Russia, has raised concerns about Romania’s commitment to its Western alliances.

The election also highlights deeper societal issues. Romania has the European Union’s highest proportion of people at risk of poverty, a factor that dominated campaign discourse.

Rising inflation, a large budget deficit, and economic stagnation have fuelled dissatisfaction with traditional parties, creating fertile ground for Georgescu’s populist appeal.

As Romania also prepares for the parliamentary elections on December 1 where it will select it’s prime minister and government, the country’s political trajectory remains uncertain.

With inputs from agencies