The Guardian view on Romania’s presidential election: a stable Ukrainian ally wobbles | Editorial
www.theguardian.com
Mon, 25 Nov 2024 21:00:12 +0200
The shock firstround victory of a farright nationalist candidate has farreaching and alarming implicationsIn a region shadowed by Vladimir Putins revanchist ambitions, Romania has been a pillar of prowestern stability.
Possessing a long border with Ukraine, the country has been a staunch ally to its neighbour under the outgoing president, Klaus Iohannis.
As well as providing military aid, more than half a million refugees have been accommodated, and Ukrainian grain exports have been facilitated through the Black Sea port of Constanta.
During the summer, President Iohannis at one point threw his hat into the ring to become Natos new secretary general, a post eventually filled by the Netherlands former prime minister, Mark Rutte.Disturbingly, this bulwark status is now in extreme jeopardy after one of the most remarkable election results in Romanias post1989 history.
The littleknown farright independent Clin Georgescu, who topped the poll and now goes into a secondround runoff in December, is a virulent critic of Nato and aid to Ukraine, a vocal admirer of Donald Trump and has suggested Romanian foreign policy should take note of Russian wisdom.
Mr Georgescus brand of insular Christian nationalism shares similarities with Hungarys prime minister, Viktor Orbn.
Ahead of a crucial period after Mr Trumps reelection, his rise from nowhere risks undermining the fragile consensus underpinning European solidarity with Kyiv.
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