The Constitutional Court of Romania certifies the result of the first round of the presidential elections

Romania's Constitutional Court on Monday certified the result of the first round in the presidential election, setting the stage for a Dec. 8 runoff that could overturn the country's pro-Western leanings and erode support for Ukraine.

The ruling clears the uncertainty that has hung over the nation since the court ordered a recount last week, after the Nov. 24 victory of little-known far-right candidate Calin Georgescu raised suspicions of outside interference in the electoral process of a country that has a staunch ally of Ukraine.

"The judges unanimously decided to confirm and validate the result of the first presidential round on November 24 and the holding of the second round on December 8," said chief judge Marian Enache.

Georgescu will now face center-right candidate Elena Lasconi in the European Union and NATO member state runoff.

Romania held parliamentary elections a day ago, with the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) leading but far-right parties winning a third of the seats in the new legislature.

The result of Sunday's parliamentary election, the second of three votes scheduled over a period of as many weeks, sets the stage for what is likely to be a period of talks between the main parties on forming a governing majority, with the PSD at the center of negotiations. /Telegraph/