Romania’s top court validated the outcome of a key presidential vote, approving the candidacy of a pro-Russian candidate for a runoff with high geopolitical stakes for the nation on NATO’s eastern flank.

Romania's political future looked uncertain Monday after legislative elections produced a fragmented parliament, with the far right making big gains a week before the second round of a presidential election in which a pro-Russian candidate is in pole position.

Romanians are voting in a parliamentary election sandwiched between a two-round presidential race. The first round plunged the European Union and NATO member country into unprecedented turmoil following allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference.

A top Romanian court has validated the first round of a presidential race in which a far-right outsider emerged as the frontrunner, plunging the country into a week of turmoil amid allegations of elec

Romania's Constitutional Court on Monday validated the shock first-round result in its presidential election, setting the stage for a run-off vote on Dec. 8 that could upend the country's pro-Western orientation and erode backing for Ukraine.

The unanimous decision came after it asked the Central Election Bureau to recount and verify all 9.4 million ballots cast in the first round of the election on Nov. 24