Romanian here. People saying "no shock" and "far right has been wining everywhere", you have no idea how insane it is. This guy joined the race in august, he polled around 7% since in like 8th position. He got 1st position with 23%!

He wasn't even invited to debates. He had no billboards, he had no commercials, no party - nothing. This was pure social medial and even that was mostly TikTok. He was a fringe candidate for all intents and purpose. The whole country is in shock and doesn't understand how everyone could be not even remotely right.

This would be like Cornel West, winning over Trump and Harris.

And to see whom he emulates: [https://packaged-media.redd.it/avl5nfzswx2e1/pb/m2-res\_854p.mp4?m=DASHPlaylist.mpd&v=1&e=1732510800&s=a6580f0e6e3da1151caeaeb4c19877a8c88441cb](https://packaged-media.redd.it/avl5nfzswx2e1/pb/m2-res_854p.mp4?m=DASHPlaylist.mpd&v=1&e=1732510800&s=a6580f0e6e3da1151caeaeb4c19877a8c88441cb)

Edit: To all asking, yes, at least in terms funding and social media bots, Russia is likely behind him. The Russian state media Ria Novosti mentioned him today saying he is "Russia aligned candidate". This candidate is antiNato, antiEU, he invited multiple times Alexander Dugin to Romania. The better question is if/what other internal forces in Romania are helping him.