In Romania's parliamentary elections, preliminary results after 99.45% of the votes counted show that the ruling pro-European Social Democratic Party (PSD) has secured victory. However, in second place is the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians,

Despite the center-left victory, the strong showing of the far right is significant ahead of the presidency vote on Dec. 8.

The first exit polls after Romaina’s December 1 parliamentary elections show that the governing Social Democrats (PSD) are first with 26%, followed by the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) with 19%.

Romanians cast ballots Sunday in a parliamentary election sandwiched between a two-round presidential race, the first of which has plunged the European Union and NATO member into unprecedented turmoil following allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference.

Romania’s Social Democratic Party looked set to win the most votes in Sunday’s parliamentary election, incomplete data showed, while far-right populists were on track to make significant gains in the country’s legislature.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Bucharest after a far-right populist unexpectedly won the first round of a presidential race, plunging Romania into turmoil just days before the country holds parliamentary elections.