Bucharest: Calin Georgescu, an ultranationalist Romanian presidential candidate, has emerged as the front-runner in the country's presidential race, surpassing his main competitors Elena Lasconi and Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. With less than 1% of the vote count remaining, Georgescu has secured a lead in the election held on Sunday, raising the prospect of a second-round face-off. According to Anadolu Agency, after nearly 99.97% of the votes were tallied, independent candidate Georgescu holds 22.95% of the votes cast. He is followed by Elena Lasconi of the Save Romania Union (SRU) party with 19.17%, and Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu with 19.1%. As a result, Georgescu and Lasconi are poised to proceed to a potential second round, scheduled for December 8, unless a candidate secures more than 50% of the votes in the first round. The election sees over a dozen candidates vying to replace the outgoing President Klaus Iohannis. Born in 1962 in Bucharest, Georgescu is a graduate of the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Romania's capital. His political and professional career includes serving as an advisor to Environment Minister Marcian Bleahu in 1991 and later as secretary general at the same ministry in the late 1990s. In the mid-2000s, he directed operations at the Foreign Ministry and was considered a potential prime minister in 2011 and 2012. In 2021, he was a candidate for prime minister from the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), though he distanced himself from the party following controversial media remarks. Georgescu's candidacy has been marked by his critical stance toward NATO, expressing skepticism about Romania's reliance on the defense alliance. In 2021, he publicly questioned NATO's ability to provide adequate security for Romania, suggesting the country was outsourcing its defense responsibilities. In discussions about Russia and Ukraine, Georgescu has stirred further controversy. During a 2021 interview with Metropola TV, he suggested any conflict in Ukraine wo uld highlight the influence of the American war industry, criticizing what he termed as "manipulation" to serve its interests. He has also praised Russia, citing 'Russian wisdom' as a potential opportunity for Romania, and has previously lauded President Vladimir Putin as a distinguished global leader. Romania, notably, shares a significant border with Ukraine, spanning over 600 kilometers (372 miles). Georgescu is married and has one child, as reported by local media.