A controversial right-wing populist TikTok star is leading in polls to be the next Romanian president, with views that could spell trouble for NATO and support for Ukraine. Romania witnessed the greatest electoral upset since emerging from communist rule in 1989 on Sunday,

The victory of ultranationalist Călin Georgescu is sparking fear that Romania could slide into the growing pro-Moscow camp.

In Romania, the far-right nationalist Călin Georgescu shocked pollsters as he gathered the highest number of votes — around 23% — in the country’s presidential election, knocking Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu out of the race.

A far-right, pro- Putin candidate just secured the most votes in the first round of Romania’s presidential election. It means the populist Călin Georgescu is in with a chance of becoming the new president of the eastern European country – and Romania’s support for Ukraine could therefore be in jeopardy.