Extremely religious and nationalistic, Georgescu campaigned to reduce Romania’s dependence on imports, support farmers, and increase domestic production of food and energy.
He also argued that the EU and NATO do not adequately represent Romania’s interests, and that Russia’s war in Ukraine, Romania’s neighbor, was being manipulated by US military companies.
Georgescu, a little-known university professor who used TikTok to rally voters, has come under intense criticism for previous comments supporting Romania’s 20th-century fascist Legion movement.
The national and Romanian diaspora voter turnout was 52.5%, slightly higher than the 51.2% voter turnout in the 2019 presidential election.
The second round is scheduled for December 8, after Romania’s parliamentary elections next Sunday.
This story is being updated.
