Romanians vote in parliamentary election as presidential race grips nation

Calin Georgescu,who is running as an independent candidate for president (Vadim Ghirda/AP)

Romanians are casting ballots in a parliamentary election on Sunday sandwiched between a turbulent two-round presidential race.

The first round of the presidential contest plunged the European Union and Nato member country into unprecedented turmoil following allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference.