Shock as pro-Russia candidate comes first in Romanian election runoff

Călin Georgescu, a Nato critic who praised Vladimir Putin as 'a man who loves his country', won 22.9% of the vote in the first round of the presidential election. He will face centre-right candidate Elena Lasconi, who won 19.17%. Prime minister Marcel Ciolacu had been expected to take the lead of the race, but came third with 19.15% of the vote. Shock as pro-Russia independent wins first round of Romanian election Romania at turning point as pro-EU and nativist candidates seek election