Romanian officials will meet Thursday to discuss possible cyber threats to its elections after a far-right pro-Russian candidate took a shock lead in its presidential vote. Far-right pro-Russia candidate Calin Georgescu secured a surprise lead in the presidential election -- knocking out premier Marcel Ciolacu -- with many questioning the role of social media in his shock surge.

In a surprising turn, far-right candidate Calin Georgescu won the first round of Romania's presidential elections, sparking debates on social media's influence. Accusations of algorithmic bias on TikTok have led to calls for an investigation.

Social Democrat Marcel Ciolacu and far-right George Simion are the most likely to move on to a run-off on December 8.

Romania is reeling after a little-known, far-right populist secured the first round in the presidential election

Calin Georgescu, who has stunned Romania and its European allies by leading the first round of the eastern European country's presidential election, is a far-right, self-styled outsider critical of NATO and of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

The pro-Russian nationalist candidate Calin Georgescu had racked up a definitive 350,000 vote lead in an upset in Romania's presidential election as counting in the first round wound to a finish Monday.