Romania recounts presidential ballots as parliamentary vote looms

Bucharest: Romania on Friday began recounting the votes from last week s dramatic first round presidential election, amid concerns the ballot might be...

Bucharest: Romania on Friday began recounting the votes from last week's dramatic first-round presidential election, amid concerns the ballot might be annulled as authorities pointed to Russia's influence and alleged interference via TikTok.

Romania was thrown into chaos after a top court ordered a recount of the first-round vote, won by Calin Georgescu, a little-known far-right admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The EU country meanwhile braced for legislative polls on Sunday, with the far right hoping to seize the momentum created by its latest success.

The parliamentary election will be closely watched by the West, amid fears the votes could herald a shift in the NATO country's foreign policy.

Piles of bags filled with first-round ballots -- including absentee votes from abroad -- were hauled to local electoral bureaus across the country on Friday, with the recount process expected to last three days or longer.