On November 24, 2024, the first round of Romania's presidential elections concluded with independent candidate Calin Georgescu gaining approximately 22.9% of the votes, placing him ahead of current Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who received around 19.2%.
With 99.7% of the votes counted, the results surprised many, as Georgescu, a far-right candidate, was not predicted to perform well in the pre-election polls. This election marks a significant moment in Romanian politics, with voter turnout at over 52% of the eligible 18 million voters.
Georgescu's campaign utilized social media platforms, particularly TikTok, to connect with voters. He described the election outcome as a "remarkable awakening of consciousness." In contrast, Ciolacu expressed gratitude for the voting process, highlighting its smooth execution.
The two candidates who experienced significant losses were far-right candidate George Simion and liberal-conservative Elena Lasconi, both finishing with around 15% of the votes.
Romania is set for a second round of voting on December 8, 2024, and will also hold legislative elections on December 1. This election is particularly notable as it is the ninth presidential election since the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989.