Calin Georgescu, a Romanian hard-right NATO critic, appeared in a dead heat with leftist Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu after the first round of presidential elections on Sunday, partial tallies showed,

Romanians vote on Sunday in the first round of a presidential election that may give a shot at victory to hard-right politician George Simion, who opposes military aid to Ukraine, admires Donald Trump and wants to emulate Giorgia Meloni's Italy.

A far-right, pro-Russia candidate is set for a shock victory in the first round of Romania's presidential election, with preliminary results leaving the prime minister, his main pro-Europe rival, out of the race.