In Bucharest on January 21st, a Reuters report highlighted that the Romanian far-right pro-Russian presidential candidate remained the preferred choice among voters leading up to a repeat of the presidential election, according to an opinion poll released late Monday.
The latest survey follows the annulment by the European Union state's highest court of the previous presidential election, where Georgescu was leading just before the second round. The court decision was based on concerns of alleged Russian interference in support of Georgescu.
The cancellation ensued when state records revealed that Georgescu, known for criticizing NATO and praising Romania's fascist leaders from the 1930s, had gained an advantage from an unjust social media campaign, potentially orchestrated by Russia—claims that Moscow has refuted.
Conducted by pollster Avangarde and reported by the online news outlet hotnews.ro, the survey indicated Georgescu securing 38% of the first-round vote on May 4th. Crin Antonescu, the pro-European coalition government's proposed sole candidate, was projected to receive 25% of the vote, while the Bucharest Mayor, considering an independent run, was expected to garner 17%.
Elena Lasconi, leader of the opposition centrist Save Romania Union party, who previously advanced to the now-negated second round with Georgescu, was polling at 6%.
The survey, based on 1,354 respondents polled between January 10th and 16th, carries a 2.6% margin of error.
Scheduled for May 4th with a potential runoff on May 18th, it remains uncertain if Georgescu, who opposes Romania's backing of Ukraine against Russia's actions, will be permitted to run again. Last October, the top court blocked the far-right figure from running, a decision criticized as judicial overreach.
Romania, serving as the European Union and NATO member state with the longest border with Ukraine, has supported Ukraine by aiding in the export of Ukrainian grain through its Black Sea port of Constanta, training Ukrainian fighter pilots, and contributing a Patriot air defense system to Kyiv.