Part 6/9:
As Romania navigated its tumultuous political terrain, the November 2024 presidential elections marked a pivotal moment. Khalen Georgescu, an unknown independent candidate, won the first round with 22.9% of the vote, shocking the nation as both incumbents from the center-left and center-right political classes were eliminated. Georgescu’s candidacy was controversial, marked by his past support for fascist movements and his alarming praise of Russian president Vladimir Putin. His campaign, largely funded through TikTok, was marred by allegations of Russian interference, complicating the legality of his sudden rise.