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

The first round of Romania's presidential election brought unprecedented turmoil following allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference.

Romania’s top court ordered a vote recount in the first round of the presidential election, it said on Thursday, in a ruling observers said risked tarnishing the credibility of state institutions ahead of two more ballots.

Romanians were voting in a parliamentary election on Sunday, in which the far right is expected to gain from uncertainty over whether the shock result in a presidential election will stand. Sunday's vote is the second of three consecutive ballots for both a new parliament and a new president,

Romanians are preparing to go to the polls in a parliamentary vote that will determine a new government and prime minister to lead the European Union and NATO member country.

Romanians are casting ballots in a parliamentary election on Sunday sandwiched between a two-round presidential race, the first round of which has plunged the European Union and NATO member country into unprecedented turmoil following allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference.

Romanians vote in parliamentary elections to elect a new parliament, with the far right tipped to win, potentially heralding a shift in the foreign policy of the NATO country bordering Ukraine. The parliamentary poll comes at a time of political turmoil,