(ANSA-AFP) - BUCHAREST, DEC 2 - Romania's ruling Social
Democrats (PSD) were set to win Sunday's parliamentary elections
while the far right secured big gains, partial results showed,
deepening uncertainty in the NATO country rocked by political
chaos. With more than 96 percent of ballots counted, the
pro-European PSD -- which has governed with the Liberals until
now -- was leading other parties with 23.5 percent of the vote.
However, all the far-right parties combined stood at more than
30 percent, significantly up from the less than 10 percent they
received in the previous vote in 2020. The parliamentary poll
comes at a time of political turmoil sparked when a top court
ordered a recount of the first round of Romania's November 24
presidential election. That ballot was won by Calin Georgescu, a
little-known far-right admirer of Russian President Vladimir
Putin. A run-off is slated for December 8. The far right's
surprise success has raised fears in the West that it could
potentially herald a shift in the foreign policy of the NATO
country and EU member, which borders Ukraine. But political
analyst Cristian Pirvulescu said the vote failed to provide
"clear" answers. "It's really an extraordinarily fragmented
parliament, with a lot of risks," he told AFP, as the outcome
could make negotiations to form a government difficult. "It is
an important signal that Romanians have sent to the political
class," said Social Democrat Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.
Ciolacu said the country should continue on its European path,
while stressing that "protecting our identity, national values
and faith" was equally important. Voter turnout reached its
highest level in 20 years at more than 52 percent. (ANSA-AFP).
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