Reformist Elena Lasconi and far-right independent Călin Georgescu rally allies ahead of second round of presidential elections

Reformist Elena Lasconi (USR) and far-right independent Călin Georgescu, both of which upended the Romanian political scene by besting the candidates of the largest parties to make it in the second round of the presidential elections, are in the process of forming alliances to secure the top job in the country.

Elena Lasconi, leader of the Union Save Romania (USR) party, gave a speech on Monday, November 25, after the presidential election results, where she placed second, behind Călin Georgescu. She was grateful to the third-placed candidate, Social Democratic leader and prime minister Marcel Ciolacu, for bowing out of the race after losing by roughly 2,500 votes, and called for unity.

“As much as we would like to savor this victory, we are aware that we are facing a danger few of us believed possible. We have suddenly found ourselves in a confrontation between past and future, between preserving Romania’s young democracy and ‘Putinism,’ between love for our country and those who want to drag it into Russia’s sphere of influence,” Lasconi told supporters, according to Biziday.

The reformist candidate criticized her opponent for his anti-EU and anti-NATO stances.

“He (.e.n. Călin Georgescu) supports isolating Romania through what he calls neutrality. He wants to remove Romania from international circuits and destroy the foundations of our prosperity. Without NATO, we are at the mercy of Russia. Patriotic Romanians have resisted Russian invasions ten times throughout history, and we will resist now as well. Yes to Europe, yes to NATO,” Lasconi said.

She also called on all center parties to rally around her candidacy.

Călin Georgescu, who skirted traditional media throughout the campaign but ran a successful online campaign, also made a statement in a live broadcast on social media.

“You don’t understand what has happened because the Romanian people have been reborn. [...] There is no East or West; there is only Romania. We remain loyal to European values, but we remain especially devoted to our families, children, and ancestors. We Romanians are here to live in peace with those in both the East and the West,” he said.

Georgescu also addressed his opponent directly in the broadcast. "Ms. Lasconi, I’ll be direct. You have no reason to celebrate. The people are not happy with what politicians have done over the years. You are also part of the political project that has brought us to this state. [...] The real earthquake is yet to come, and it will be primarily economic."