NewsSurprising shake-up in Romanian elections: Ciolacu leads race

Surprising shake-up in Romanian elections: Ciolacu leads race

In the first round of the presidential elections in Romania, the current prime minister and leader of the PSD party, Marcel Ciolacu, is leading the polls with 25%. In second place is Elena Lasconi, the leader of the USR party (Union to Save Romania), with 18%, according to exit polls conducted by the CIRA-AVANGARDE-INSOMAR center. Independent candidate Calin Georgescu follows in third place with 16%. This lineup is a surprise.

The exit poll results indicate that George Simion, the leader of the radically right-wing AUR party, will not advance to the second round. Pre-election polls gave him a strong chance for second place.
The exit poll results indicate that George Simion, the leader of the radically right-wing AUR party, will not advance to the second round. Pre-election polls gave him a strong chance for second place.
Images source: © PAP | ROBERT GHEMENT

3:56 PM EST, November 24, 2024

The research includes data as of 7 PM and does not account for the diaspora. The absence of George Simion, the leader of the far-right AUR party, from the top three is unexpected since pre-election surveys had given him a strong chance for second place.

At 2 PM Eastern Time (8 PM local time in Romania), voting in the first round of the presidential elections concluded. At the time the polls closed, the turnout, as published on the Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP) website, was 52.39%.

In the country and abroad, approximately 19 million people are eligible to vote.

Commentators note the high activity of the diaspora. By 1 PM Eastern Time, turnout abroad reached 49%, which was higher than in the first round of the 2019 presidential elections.

There were 14 candidates in the presidential elections, but the main competition was among the four leading contenders for the presidency. These include the prime minister and leader of the social-democratic PSD party Marcel Ciolacu, the head of the far-right AUR party George Simion, the leader of the USR (Union to Save Romania) party Elena Lasconi, and Nicolae Ciuca, the former prime minister and current head of the senate, leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL).

"The pits of the pits"

"These are the most disappointing elections in the history of democratic Romania," evaluated journalist Cristina Cileacu in an interview with PAP. "I don't know who to vote for. None of the candidates are my choice, and I honestly just want Simion not to make it to the second round," added Livia, another agency interviewee. "These elections are the pits of the pits, really." For the first time, I feel that the candidates do not represent me, and none are suitable for president. What's happening is very sad," concluded Roze, an interior architect.

The second round of elections will take place on December 8. Next Sunday, parliamentary elections will be held in Romania.

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