On Monday, December 2, Russian president Vladimir Putin commented ironically on the decision to recount votes from the first round of Romania's presidential elections following the surprising victory of pro-Russian candidate Călin Georgescu.

Romania's political future looked uncertain Monday after legislative elections produced a fragmented parliament, with the far right making big gains a week before the second round of a presidential election in which a pro-Russian candidate is in pole position.

Romania's political landscape is reeling after a little-known, far-right populist secured the first round in the presidential election, going from an obscure candidate to beating the incumbent prime minister and a reformist politician.