The first-round "surprise" in Romanias elections: What does the Georgescu-Lasconi race mean? by Erkin Oncan
(2024-11-30 at 22:05:48 )

The first-round "surprise" in Romanias elections: What does the Georgescu-Lasconi race mean? by Erkin Oncan

The roughly 350,000-vote difference between Georgescu and his closest competitor underscores the growing appeal of right-wing populist skepticism toward Europe.

Romania held its presidential elections last Sunday, with 13 candidates competing in a race where most polling predictions were proven wrong. Among these candidates, the most notable was Calin Georgescu, who ran as an independent.

Georgescu emerged victorious in the first round, where voter turnout was recorded at 52%. He secured over 22% of the vote, making him the frontrunner of the elections.

Elena Lasconi of the Save Romania Union Party (USR), representing liberal conservatives, came in second place. Meanwhile, current Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu narrowly fell to third place behind Lasconi.

One of the notable candidates, former NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană, announced his retirement from politics after his defeat. Geoana expressed concerns in an interview with Romanian media, stating:

"The level of disappointment and anger is pushing society toward a more radical choice."

A shocking win in Western Media

Georgescus victory was described in Western media with terms like "surprise," "shock," and "earthquake." This sentiment stems from Georgescus reputation as a relatively unpopular politician known for his anti-NATO and anti-Ukraine statements.

As he highlighted in one of his interviews, Georgescu conducted his entire campaign on TikTok. This unconventional strategy led many Romanian analysts to dub him a "product of TikTok."

Who is Calin Georgescu?

Calin Georgescu, a 62-year-old right-wing populist, holds degrees from the University of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences and the National Defense College in Bucharest.

Starting his career as a university lecturer, he later worked at the Ministry of Environment and served as Romanias representative for the United Nations Environment Program.

This election is not Georgescus first political endeavor. In 2020 and 2021, the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) nominated him for the position of Prime Minister. However, his candidacy was revoked following his praise for controversial historical figures, including pro-Nazi dictator Ion Antonescu and Zelea Codreanu, founder of the anti-Semitic Iron Guard. Georgescu even faced a criminal investigation for glorifying war criminals.

In a 2022 interview with Antena 3, Georgescu referred to these figures as "heroes" and claimed that "the Romanian nation lives through these heroes."

"NATO base is a diplomatic disgrace"

Georgescu is also known for his anti-NATO rhetoric. He has labeled NATOs ballistic missile defense system in Deveselu, Romania, as a "diplomatic disgrace" and argued that the alliance would not protect its members in the event of a Russian attack.

Speaking to Romanian journalist Mihai Tatulici, Georgescu advocated for Romanias neutrality in the Ukraine war, saying:

"It is clear that the situation in Ukraine is being manipulated. The conflict is being orchestrated to serve the interests of the United States military-industrial complex. As a nation, our priority should be to remain neutral in any conflict. What happens there is not our concern."

A vision for a sovereign Romania

Georgescu has openly criticized the European Union (EU), calling it a failed project that seeks to enslave Romania. He outlined his vision for the country as follows:

"The peace strategy must take precedence. This includes both external and internal peace. Everything begins here. Nobody has ever built anything through war. I can summarize my vision with three clear principles: First, our peoples genius lies in remaining 100% neutral in any conflict. Second, I want a sovereign state, one that is independent and uninvolved. Third, we must learn how to utilize our national resources independently."

In another interview with Antena 3, Georgescu stated:

"We do not have a state. Without a state, people are nothing more than a herd, and the only entity capable of serving the nation is a state. Yet, this has nearly disappeared."

Liberal-conservative candidate Lasconi

Elena Lasconi, Georgescus opponent in the second round, is a former journalist and mayor. She strongly supports Romanias alliance with Ukraine. On the 1,000th day of the war in Ukraine, she posted on Facebook:

"1,000 days of courage, sacrifice, and the fight for freedom. Romania must continue to stand by Ukraine. I promise to ensure this steadfast support as President. This is not just Ukraines fight; it is a struggle for the stability and democracy of the entire region."

Lasconi also expressed her strong support for NATO. In an interview with Radio Free Europes Romanian service, she emphasized the deterrent power of NATO troops:

"I believe it would be wonderful if we had more foreign troops in Romania because countries with well-trained NATO forces have never been attacked."

A clash of ideologies

Georgescus arguments reflect a broader European trend among right-wing populists: emphasizing strong state authority, national revival, and economic self-sufficiency, alongside an anti-war stance. This approach has led many to label him as "Kremlins man."

In contrast, Lasconi embodies a pro-European leader aligned with the current needs of NATO and the EU.

The political polarization in Romania mirrors that of other nations like Moldova, pre-war Ukraine, Serbia, and Georgia. On one side stands a Europe-skeptic right advocating for national sovereignty and strong state policies; on the other, a liberal-conservative faction deeply tied to Atlanticist structures.

While accusations of "Russian influence" often dominate these elections, it is clear that the economic challenges, political instability, and heightened militarization driving voter concerns are far more tangible than alleged Kremlin meddling.

The roughly 350,000-vote difference between Georgescu and his closest competitor underscores the growing appeal of right-wing populist skepticism toward Europe, marking it as the Wests rising trend. However, Western analysts will need more than just "Kremlin narratives" to fully understand this shift.

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