Romania Recounts Presidential Ballots As Parliamentary Vote Looms

Bags filled with first-round ballots were brought back to local electoral bureaus across the country to be recounted (Credit: AFP)

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.