2024 Presidential Election Update

The latest update on the presidential election in Romania

Newsroom, 24.11.2024, 23:20

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION – Social-Democrat leader, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has won the first round of the presidential election, held on Sunday in Romania. After counting approximately 70% of total votes, Marcel Ciolacu ranks first in preliminary standings with 23%. In runner-up position with 22% is Călin Georgescu, a surprising independent candidate, accused of supporting Russia and eulogizing representatives of the Romanian far-right in the inter-war period. According to exit polls, Marcel Ciolacu grabbed 24%, while the leader of Save Romania Union (USR), Elena Lasconi, is in second place with 19.6%, followed by Călin Georgescu with 17%. Over 9.4 million Romanians, accounting for over 52% of people on permanent lists, cast their votes on Sunday. Around 800 thousand Romanians also voted abroad. The difference between urban and rural areas was approximately 2 million votes. A total of 13 candidates enrolled in the race, 9 backed by political parties and 4 independent candidates. The second round of the presidential election is slated for December 8, while the parliamentary election will be held on December 1, the National Day of Romania.