Romanians cast ballots in parliamentary election after far-right Georgescu’s presidential lead
BUCHAREST – Romanians began voting on Sunday to elect their Parliament, one week after far-right candidate Călin Georgescu topped the first round of the presidential election, according to media reports.
Polling stations will remain open until 9:00 PM (7:00 PM GMT), with exit polls expected shortly thereafter.
The far-right, fragmented across several parties, is projected to secure over 30% of the vote.
Several political parties are participating, including AUR (Alliance for the Unity of Romanians), whose presidential candidate George Simion earned nearly 14% of the vote, and S.O.S. Romania, led by Diana Sosoaca.
A new party, the POT (Party of Young People), which emerged after Georgescu’s surprise performance, may exceed the 5% threshold needed to enter Parliament.
The centrist USR (Save Romania Union) is hoping to build on the second-place finish of their leader, Elena Lasconi, in the presidential election.
Outgoing President Klaus Iohannis called the election “crucial for Romania’s future.”
“We face an existential choice: to remain a country of freedom, a modern European nation, or to fall into harmful isolation and return to a dark past,” he said.
