A hard-right populist known for his opposition to the European Union and NATO has surged into the lead in Romania’s presidential election in a shock result that throws the country’s pro-Western outlook into doubt.

Calin Georgescu, a critic of the EU and Nato, looks set to face the pro-Europe prime minister in the second round.

In Romania’s presidential election, ultra-nationalist candidate Călin Georgescu is leading, with current Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu in second place, according to the Central Electoral Bureau of Romania.