Romania's top court on Thursday ordered a recount of votes in the first round of the presidential election and the country's top security body warned Romania was a key target for hostile actions from Russia after a shock result in the ballot.

Calin Georgescu, who had been widely dismissed as a fringe candidate, won the most votes on Sunday with 22.9 percent. He will face a more centrist opponent in the second round on Dec. 8.

Romania's top court has ordered a recount of votes from the presidential election, amidst concerns of Russian interference. Calin Georgescu's surprising win raises questions about Romania's electoral integrity.

Romania's presidential election was thrown into chaos Thursday as a court ordered a recount of first-round results and security officials alleged that interference via TikTok had boosted a little-known far-right candidate.

Romania's far-right presidential candidate Calin Georgescu claimed state institutions are undermining the people's vote after winning the first-round election. The Constitutional Court ordered a vote recount amidst warnings of potential cyber attacks by national security bodies.

Constitutional Court to decide on Friday whether to annul first round results following complaints poll subject to foreign interference

Cyber attacks aimed at influencing the presidential elections occurred in Romania, the National Defence Council (CSAT) reported on Thursday. It was stated that one of the candidates benefited from preferential treatment by the social media platform TikTok.

A journalist records Calin Georgescu, running as an independent candidate for president gestures while delivering a speech to media, in Izvorani, Romania, 2024.