Georgescu, Lasconi advance to 2nd round of Romania's presidential poll

Independent candidate Calin Georgescu and Elena Lasconi, leader of the Save Romania Union, will face off in the second round of Romania's 2024 presidential election on Dec. 8 as no candidate wins more than 50 percent of the ballots, according to complete results from the Permanent Electoral Authority, reported Xinhua.

In the first round, Georgescu leads with 22.94 percent of the vote, while Lasconi secured the second place with 19.18 percent, narrowly edging out Prime Minister and Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader Marcel Ciolacu by 2,742 votes. The presidential election was held on Sunday, involving 14 candidates.

Ciolacu extended his congratulations to the two candidates, saying that his party would not contest the results.

Georgescu had gained momentum with his independent campaign. Born in Bucharest on March 26, 1962, Georgescu is an agronomist with a doctorate in soil science from the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine.

His platform focuses on promoting economic and ecological self-sufficiency, empowering farmers, and reducing reliance on imports.

Lasconi, 52, had been a journalist and now serves as the mayor of Campulung. Earlier this year, she was elected president of Save Romania Union, a center-right political force in Romania.

She described the election results as a rejection of the ruling PSD-PNL coalition, calling for a new parliamentary majority to reform Romania. Romania will also hold parliamentary elections on Dec. 1 that will determine the country's next government and prime minister.

Romania's budget deficit, high inflation, and economic slowdown may drive mainstream candidates toward populist rhetoric to appeal to the dissatisfied voters, noted Cristian Andrei, a Bucharest-based political consultant.

Romania's president serves a five-year term, with a maximum of two consecutive terms allowed, and has significant decision-making powers in areas including defence spending, national security, foreign policy and judicial appointments.

Meanwhile, Marcel Ciolacu, chairman of Romania's Social Democratic Party (PSD), announced his resignation on Monday after failing to advance to the presidential runoff, finishing third in the first round with 19.15 percent of the vote.

Ciolacu will remain as prime minister until the elections conclude and a new parliamentary majority is formed.

He added he would not run for any position in future PSD leadership elections.

PSD Vice President Victoria Stoiciu said the party would address leadership changes on Dec. 2.

Meanwhile, Nicolae Ciuca, the presidential candidate of Romania's National Liberal Party (PNL), announced his resignation as party leader on Monday following a poor performance in the first round of the presidential election.

Ciuca emphasized in a video message the importance of traditional parties in maintaining Romania's unity but admitted the need for significant reforms within the PNL.

Ciuca described the election outcome, where the PNL candidate secured just eight percent of the vote, as a failure for the leadership team.

Prominent party members, including Dan Vilceanu, called for a complete overhaul of the leadership and immediate withdrawal from the ruling coalition with the Social Democratic Party (PSD).