Hard-right Călin Georgescu comes from nowhere to snatch victory as liberal Elena Lasconi claims second place ahead of seismic Dec. 8 runoff.

A far-right, pro-Russia candidate has taken a surprise lead in the first round of Romania's presidential election, with preliminary results putting his pro-Europe rival in close second. With 96% of votes counted, ultranationalist Calin Georgescu was on 22%, and Marcel Ciolacu, the prime minister, had 20%, according to the Central Electoral Bureau.