BUCHAREST -- Romania's Constitutional Court has recognized the results of the first round of the presidential election and confirmed that the second round will be held on December 8.
The runoff will see far-right and pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu face off against the pro-Western Elena Lasconi, who immediately announced the start of her second-round campaign after the court's decision.
SEE ALSO: Who Is Calin Georgescu, The Far-Right Winner Of Romania's Presidential First Round?“Thank you for not playing Russian roulette with the right to vote," Lasconi said after the court's decision, which followed a recount ordered by the court.
"I am a supporter of the law and the constitution. God will help us again this time to fight for democracy and keep Russia away from our country," she added, pledging to "unite all Romanians" if elected president.
Romania's president has significant decision-making powers, including on matters of national security and foreign policy. Elected for a five-year term, the president can also reject party nominees for prime minister and government nominees for judicial appointments.
SEE ALSO: It's Election Season In Romania. Here's Everything You Need To Know.After a recount of ballots cast in the first round, the Constitutional Court unanimously rejected a request to challenge the election.
The ruling came after Romania's ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) won pivotal parliamentary elections held on December 1, preliminary results show, setting the stage for talks to form a pro-Western coalition that could prove to be difficult.
SEE ALSO: Five Takeaways From Romania's Parliamentary ElectionsPreliminary figures gave the PSD the lead over the far-right, ultranationalist Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR).
With all polling stations reporting, the PSD had 22.3 percent of the vote to the AUR’s 18.3 percent.
The center-right Liberal Party (PNL) -- a junior coalition partner to the PSD -- had 14.3 percent, while another center-right party, the Save Romania Union (USR), followed with 12.3 percent.
With no party -- as expected -- reaching a parliamentary majority, hard negotiations are expected to follow on forming a government and could depend on the outcome of next week's presidential runoff. As the party that gained the most votes, the PSD will likely be asked to nominate a prime minister.
Analysts have suggested a tenuous coalition could develop with the left-leaning PSD and the center-right PNL and USR combining forces. Such a development would help ensure Romania's pro-Western policies against the emerging far-right -- and often Russian-friendly -- parties.
Turnout was reported at 52.36 percent, or about 9.43 million voters, the highest in parliamentary elections in 12 years, according to officials.
Voter turnout in the 2020 parliamentary election was about 32 percent.
No major irregularities were reported during the balloting.
More than three dozen parties and coalitions, along with independent candidates, competed for seats in the bicameral legislature: 329 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 136 in the Senate.
Senate results were similar to the results of the vote for the Chamber of Deputies.
Along with the divide between the East and West, Romanians have expressed concerns about the country's ailing economy and rampant corruption.