BUCHAREST, Romania — The pro-European Union candidate in Romania’s tense presidential runoff has taken a lead in the polls, preliminary electoral data shows, in a closely-watched vote against a hard-right nationalist that could determine the geopolitical direction of the NATO member country.

By Adrianna Ebert and Karol Badohal WARSAW (Reuters) -Polish liberals performed worse than expected in a presidential election on Sunday, exit polls showed, as Rafal Trzaskowski from ruling centrists Civic Coalition (KO) scraped to victory setting up a close fight for Warsaw's pro-European path.

Pro-EU candidate Nicusor Dan has won Romania’s presidential runoff against a hard-right nationalist. The vote was seen as a crucial geopolitical choice for the former Eastern Bloc nation with implications for the future of Europe.