Romanians put pro-Russian candidate into presidential runoff even as the government spends west
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) radar arrives at Mihail Kogalniceanu (MK) Air Base, Romania in support of the NATO Ballistic Missile Defense mission. (Photo: US Army)
Romania joined NATO more than two decades ago and the country is vital to the alliance’s geographic reach and its ability to supply Ukraine with weapons.
A pro-Russian NATO-sceptic candidate has won a place in the 9 December runoff to become the president of Romania, a country which has turned repeatedly towards NATO and the west, and is geographically vital for the alliance.
Independent politician Calin Georgescu took top spot in the weekend’s election but failed to achieve 50%. He will face another election against leader of the opposition Save Romania Union Elena Lasconi who came second.
Georgescu is a former member of the hard-right Alliance for Uniting Romanians party who has criticised NATO’s ballistic missile defence shield in Romania and praised anti-Semitic ex-Romanian leaders.
The position
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners]()
Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners
While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.
-
![NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems]()
NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems
During the latest edition of the NATO DiBaX, the alliance tested multiple capabilities to inform requirements for future efforts.
-
![Leonardo unveils plans for Michelangelo air defence dome]()
Leonardo unveils plans for Michelangelo air defence dome
The new multi-layered defence system will harness AI to neutralise airborne threats and protect Europe from Russian aggression.
