Romanians are heading to the polls for the next three weekends in a row, with all eyes on the far-right AUR party.

Why should I care?

Despite its colorful history of corruption scandals, Romania has long been considered a reliable NATO ally in Eastern Europe and a country that has largely played by EU rules in the region. That record sets it apart from other countries in the region such as Hungary, Slovakia and Bulgaria, which are continually sparking fears over rule of law and gravitation toward Russia.

That might now change.