Romania’s ruling Social Democrats (PSD) were set to win Sunday’s parliamentary elections while the far right secured big gains, partial results showed, deepening uncertainty in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) country rocked by political chaos.

With more than 96 percent of ballots counted, the pro-European PSD — which has governed with the Liberals until now — was leading other parties with 23.5 percent of the vote.

However, all the far-right parties combined stood at more than 30 percent, significantly up from the less than 10 percent they received in the previous vote in 2020.

The parliamentary poll comes at a time of political turmoil sparked when a top court ordered a recount of the first round of Romania’s 24 November presidential election.

That ballot was won by Calin Georgescu, a little-known far-right admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin. A run-off is slated for 8 December.

The far right’s surprise success has raised fears in the West that it could potentially herald a shift in the foreign policy of the NATO country and EU member, which borders Ukraine.

But political analyst Cristian Pirvulescu said the vote failed to provide “clear” answers.

“It’s really an extraordinarily fragmented parliament, with a lot of risks,” he told AFP, as the outcome could make negotiations to form a government difficult.

“It is an important signal that Romanians have sent to the political class,” said Social Democrat Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.

Ciolacu said the country should continue on its European path, while stressing that “protecting our identity, national values and faith” was equally important.

Voter turnout reached its highest level in 20 years at more than 52 percent.