Romanian Presidential Election: Populist Candidate Wins First Round

Calin Georgescu primarily campaigned through videos on TikTok, criticizing the European Union, NATO, and the Romanian political establishment.

A young man on his cellphone walks past election posters from the main presidential candidates, in Bucharest, Romania, on Nov. 22, 2024. Andreea Alexandru/AP

Calin Georgescu, an independent right-wing populist candidate who campaigned primarily on TikTok, won the first round of Romania’s presidential election on Nov. 25.

Georgescu, 62, and Elena Lasconi, leader of the opposition center-right Save Romania Party, advanced to the second round set for Dec. 8.