Poland’s gearing up for a pivotal vote - one that could redefine its place in Europe.

Victory for George Simion in Romania’s May 18 presidential run-off vote would raise urgent questions about democracy at home and alliances abroad.

Elsewhere in the region: constitutionality of Czech-Vatican treaty in doubt; Hungary taken to EU court over migrants’ smugglers; and Slovak PM echoes Russian propaganda on wars past and present.

The 55-year-old mayor of Bucharest is running on a platform of honesty, integrity and pro-Western stability as Romanians prepare for the second round of potentially the most consequential presidential election in the country since the fall of communism.

With less than two weeks before Poland’s presidential elections, opposition Law and Justice party-backed candidate Karol Nawrocki is facing claims he was dishonest about owning a second property.

Although analysts remain dubious about Pellegrini’s motivation to distance himself from the government, they admit it’s surprising the president has taken the major step of confronting his political mentor so directly.