'Pro-Russia' Candidate Takes Surprise Lead In Romania Election After Slamming NATO, Ukraine Aid

A Romanian hard-right NATO critic and pro-Russia candidate who now leads Romania’s presidential race. Calin Georgescu eliminated the EU-leaning premier Marcel Ciolacu ahead of a December runoff. Calin Georgescu was in pole position with 22.95% of the ballot, followed by Elena Lasconi, the centre-right mayor of a small town. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, with 19.15% of the vote, was eliminated from the December 8 runoff. Exit polls initially showed the premier with a comfortable lead and placed another far-right candidate George Simion in fourth. 00:00 - INTRODUCTION 02:38 - KREMLIN 'NOT FAMILIAR' WITH PRO-RUSSIAN ROMANIAN PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER03:45 - GEORGIAN PARLIAMENT MEETS AFTER DISPUTED POLLn18oc_world n18oc_crux