Bucharest, November 27 (RHC)-- In Romania, the far-right nationalist Călin Georgescu shocked pollsters as he gathered the highest number of votes — around 23% — in the country’s presidential election, knocking Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu out of the race. 

Georgescu will stand in a runoff vote on December 8 against center-right candidate Elena Lasconi.  Georgescu is a hard-right critic of NATO who has praised Russia.  His popularity soared in recent weeks as he rallied hundreds of thousands of followers on the social media site TikTok. 

On Monday, Romanian students in Bucharest rallied against Georgescu and the rise of the far right in Romanian politics.  One protester, Alexandra, spoke with reporters: “I’m here because I believe in democracy.  I believe that people should have a say in what’s happening in their country.  And I believe that going back to 35 years ago is not a solution to the problems we are facing right now.”

[ SOURCE: DEMOCRACY NOW ]