Romania witnessed the greatest electoral upset since emerging from communist rule in 1989 on Sunday, when Călin Georgescu, 62, running without a party, came in first in the first round of elections with 22.9% of the vote. His rise blindsided the entire Romanian political scene, especially as he hadn’t participated in any debates, didn’t register significantly in opinion polls, and didn’t belong to a party, something almost unheard of in Romanian politics.

Georgescu has expressed several controversial views, especially those involving Romania’s history. He described as “heroes” Corneliu Zelea Codreanu, founder of the syncretic fascist Iron Guard, and Ion Antonescu, leader of Romania during World War II and ally of Nazi Germany.

Particularly notable are his views on NATO, Russia, and Ukraine. In interviews, Georgescu said that Romania wasn’t ready to independently handle diplomacy and strategy and should instead rely on “Russian wisdom,” the Guardian reported. Local media reported that he has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as “a man who loves his country” and called Ukraine “an invented state,” a line frequently used by Putin and the Russian state.

In an interview with a pro-Russian media outlet in April 2021, he said that events in Ukraine were being “manipulated” by the United States military-industrial complex and other Western financial interests.

Georgescu has criticized the establishment of a NATO missile defense system at the Deveselu Military Base, one of Putin’s main contentions before the invasion of Ukraine.

He hinted in a post-election speech that the favorable election results were partly due to his stance on Ukraine aid.

“Tonight, the Romanian people cried out for peace. And they shouted very loudly, extremely loudly,” he said on Sunday night. “We are strong and brave, many of us voted, and even more will do so in the second round.”

Despite his statements favorable to Russia and negative to Ukraine, Georgescu has denied that he’s explicitly pro-Russia or supports it in its war with Ukraine.

As no candidate won more than 50% of the vote, a second round of elections will be held on Dec. 8.

Former journalist Elena Lasconi, running as part of the liberal Save Romania Union, came in second place with 19.2%. She has stressed more support for NATO if elected and is generally considered a left-wing figure.

Georgescu has made a number of other controversial statements, including a podcast in 2024 that denied the COVID-19 virus existed, and “the only real science is Jesus Christ.” He has frequently stressed his Orthodox Christian faith in one of the most religious countries in Europe.

His campaign was dominated by claims that the U.S. and European Union were exploiting Romania by undercutting its economy, something that could sour relations if he were to be elected.

Romania is situated in a strategically vital position in the current Russia-Ukraine War, bordering Ukraine and the Black Sea.