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 electoral violations and Russian meddling.

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.

Romania’s Constitutional Court ordered a recount of all the votes in the first round of the presidential election, which was won by a little-known pro-Russian candidate, deepening the political crisis in the country.