Romania is voting in parliamentary elections today – amid accusations of Russian interference in the presidential ballot last week.
Romanians are voting for a new prime minister, government, and members of its 466-seat parliament.
A week ago, far-right independent candidate Calin Georgescu came from single-digit polling to win the first round.
The result has sparked allegations of Russian interference, fulled by Georgescu’s previous pro-Putin comments.
Romania is both an EU and NATO member – sparking concerns that a potential Georgescu presidency could revoke membership – edging closer to Moscow – as Georgia is accused of doing.
Georgescu, 62, is due to face reformist Elena Lasconi of the Save Romania Union party, or USR, in the second round of the presidentials on 8 December.
But Romanians are unsure if the result will stand after a re-count of voting and officials facing questions.
Former Russian president says Georgia is ‘moving rapidly along Ukrainian path’
A former Russian president has likened the unrest in Georgia to “moving along the Ukrainian path… into the dark abyss”.
Nightly demonstrations in Tbilisi and other cities have resulted in violent clashes with police since Irakli Garibashvili, the prime minister, announced on Thursday that talks on Georgia joining the EU would be delayed until 2028.
Garibashvili has been accused of moving closer to Russia – derailing longstanding efforts to align Georgia with the West and the EU.
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev commented on Telegram today that Georgia is “moving rapidly along the Ukrainian path, into the dark abyss”.
“Usually this sort of thing ends very badly,” he adds.
Ukraine is also attempting to join the EU – in the hope of increased security beyond the current conflict with Russia.
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