Bucharest, Romania – In a surprising turn of events, Romania seems to be diverging from the global trend of leaning towards the hard-right, with reformist candidate Elena Lasconi leading the polls over nationalist George Simion in the country’s presidential election.

Initial exit polls indicated that Romania’s current center-left Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu is likely to secure the most votes in the first round of the presidential election, with Lasconi following closely behind. Simion and independent candidate Călin Georgescu, a radical nationalist, are trailing behind in the polls.

Despite these early results, it’s important to note that the final outcome may still change as all the votes are counted. The second round of the election is scheduled for December 8, following Romania’s upcoming parliamentary election.

The potential victory of Lasconi, a reformist candidate, over the nationalist Simion signifies a shift in Romania’s political landscape towards a more moderate stance.

This runoff between Lasconi and Simion will not only determine the next president of Romania but also serve as a litmus test for the country’s political direction in the face of rising right-wing populism in Europe. The outcome of this election could have far-reaching implications for the future of Romania and its role within the European Union.

As the results continue to unfold, all eyes will be on Romania to see whether the country will continue on its current path or embark on a new trajectory under the leadership of a reformist president. The upcoming weeks promise to be pivotal for Romania’s political future.