Romanians voted on Sunday in a tense rerun of November's annulled presidential election that plunged the European Union member into deep crisis, with a far-right candidate expected to top the first round.

The stakes are high for the NATO country of 19 million, which has become a key pillar of the defence alliance since Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.

The repeat vote follows the cancellation of last year's vote won by NATO critic Calin Georgescu, who has been barred from the rerun, with fellow far-right politician George Simion now looking like the favourite.

Georgescu was excluded after authorities noted a massive TikTok campaign and issued claims of Russian interference, sparking sometimes violent protests.

He has been replaced by Simion, leader of the nationalist AUR party, who is one of 11 presidential hopefuls vying for the largely ceremonial but influential foreign policy post on Sunday.

An avowed fan of Donald Trump, Simion is often seen wearing a cap with the US president's slogan "Make America Great Again". He says he hopes to become Romania's "MAGA president".

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© International Business Times