Thousands of Romanians gathered in a popular square in the capital Bucharest to stage a pro-Europe rally. It comes just a few days before the second round of the country’s presidential election, as concerns over the political scene veering towards populism loom large.
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00:00More than 4,000 Romanians participated in a pro-Europe demonstration in a popular square
00:07in downtown Bucharest.
00:10Romanian and European Union flags were waved side by side and protesters were heard chanting
00:15freedom and Europe.
00:17The rally comes just two days before the second round of the presidential election, set for
00:22December 8.
00:25Independent far-right candidate Kellyanne Giorgescu won the first round almost two weeks
00:29ago, garnering 23% of the vote.
00:33His anti-EU and anti-NATO sentiments have sparked protests around the country, with
00:38many viewing him as a threat to democracy.
00:40Many were hoping the presidential first round results were a one-off and did not signal
01:07a shifting political landscape in Romania.
01:10But far-right parties also made considerable gains in the parliamentary election on Sunday.
01:16The Alliance for the Union of Romanians secured 18% of the votes, finishing in second behind
01:21the ruling Social Democrats.
01:24Giorgescu will now face reformist Elena Lascone of the Save Romania Union Party.
01:30The country's future hangs in the balance in what analysts predict will be a tightly
01:34contested race.
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