Romania hard-right candidate, centre-right leader head for presidential run-off vote

FILE PHOTO: Presidential candidate George Simion answers a question during a presidential debate in Bucharest, Romania, November 18, 2024. Inquam Photos/Octav Ganea via REUTERS/ File Photo

BUCHAREST (Reuters) -A Romanian hard-right NATO critic and centre-right opposition party leader will likely face each other in a Dec. 8 presidential run-off vote, results showed, in an unexpected outcome that threatens Romania's staunchly pro-Ukraine stance.

With 99.9% of votes counted, hard-right Calin Georgescu, 62, had 22.9%, while centre-right contender Elena Lasconi was second with 19.16%.