Social Democrat Marcel Ciolacu and far-right George Simion are the most likely to move on to a run-off on December 8.

Romania, which shares a 650-kilometer (400-mile) border with Ukraine, has gained strategic importance since Russia invaded its neighbour in 2022. Despite his growing domestic support, Simion’s rhetoric is reason for alarm for Nato allies.

Observers expect the final vote to pit the nationalist George Simion against Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, of the Social Democratic Party. The frontrunners for the largely ceremonial role are Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu,