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Romanian Parliamentary Election Amid Political Turmoil and Far-Right Rise
Romanians went to the polls on Sunday for a parliamentary election that has been overshadowed by recent political turmoil and allegations of electoral violations, including claims of Russian interference. The vote, which will determine the next government and prime minister, comes amid a highly contentious two-round presidential race that has rocked the nation.
By 5 p.m. on Sunday, approximately 7.5 million people, or 42% of eligible voters, had cast their ballots in the legislative election, according to the Central Election Bureau. The 466-seat parliament will be tasked with shaping the country’s future, including the formation of a new government.
The election follows last week’s first-round presidential race, which saw far-right populist Calin Georgescu, a controversial candidate, win the most votes despite polling in single digits. Georgescu, 62, will face reformist Elena Lasconi in a second-round runoff. His unexpected success has sparked widespread protests, particularly from those critical of his past remarks praising Romanian fascist leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Critics view Georgescu’s rise as a threat to Romania’s democratic values, with many blaming his popularity on the explosive growth of his TikTok presence.
Georgescu’s TikTok account reportedly saw a surge in engagement ahead of the election, which experts have called “artificial” and similar to his polling results. Romania’s defense body has raised concerns that Georgescu benefited from preferential treatment, suggesting that the country has become a “priority target” for Russian influence. The Kremlin, however, has denied any involvement in the election process.
Amid the political uncertainty, Romania’s top defense body recently called for a recount of the 9.4 million votes cast in the presidential election after a candidate claimed violations of electoral laws. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court is set to rule on whether to annul the vote after an appeal was filed regarding campaign activity on election day.
Political analysts predict that the outcome of the presidential race will have a profound effect on Sunday’s parliamentary election. Cristian Andrei, a political consultant in Bucharest, warned that Georgescu’s success could lead to a surge in support for far-right parties, potentially reshaping Romania’s political landscape.
Despite the challenges, Romania’s political establishment remains divided. The ruling coalition of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the National Liberal Party (PNL) has become increasingly strained, and the prime minister’s office faces pressure from both populist factions and pro-European parties.
Incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, speaking after casting his vote, emphasized that Romanians must choose between “stability and chaos” and urged the public to remain aligned with Europe and NATO. Georgescu, meanwhile, framed his vote as a choice for “peace” and “respect” for Romania’s future.
Surveys suggest that the top contenders in the parliamentary race are the PSD, the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, and the PNL, while smaller parties like the USR and the nationalist S.O.S Romania party could also gain traction. With the political landscape in flux, many Romanians are hoping for a return to stability as the country navigates its uncertain future.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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