The centrist mayor of Bucharest, Nicușor Dan, seems poised to secure the Romanian presidency in an election that has garnered significant attention throughout Europe, particularly amid growing support for US President Donald Trump.
According to exit polls, Mr. Dan is leading with 55% of the votes after making a late surge, overcoming initial setbacks to George Simion, a far-right Trump supporter.
Mr. Dan campaigned with a commitment to combat pervasive corruption and maintain Romania’s strong ties to the European mainstream.
This election coincides with the first round of voting in Poland, where liberal frontrunner Rafal Trzaskowski faces off against two conservative Trump enthusiasts, Karol Nawrocki and Slawomir Mentzen.
Mr. Simion, who has pledged to prioritize “Romania first,” has promised to “restore the dignity of the Romanian people.”
He has been vocal in his criticisms of what he describes as the EU’s “absurd policies” and advocates for reducing military assistance to Ukraine.
The 38-year-old performed well in the first round on May 4, securing nearly 41% of the votes.
Nicușor Dan (L) and George Simion participated in an electoral debate earlier this month.
As an independent promising a “transparent” Romania, Mr. Dan cast his vote in his hometown of Făgăraș, located in central Romania’s Transylvania region.
“This is a pivotal moment, a critical election,” Mr. Dan remarked, stating that he voted “for a European trajectory… not for Romania’s isolation.”
He hopes to see a turnout exceeding the initial round’s 53%.
Mr. Simion expressed that he “voted against the disparities and injustices inflicted on the Romanian people, against abuse and poverty.”
“I voted for our future to be determined by the Romanian people, and for the Romanian people,” he added, while continually alleging potential “widespread fraud.”
Mr. Simion voted in Mogoșoaia, just outside Bucharest, alongside far-right figure Călin Georgescu.
Mr. Georgescu was the leading candidate in last year’s cancelled presidential election but has been excluded from the new vote.
As they arrived, a crowd of supporters, some with flowers, cheered: “Călin Georgescu for president.”
The cancellation of last year’s vote, along with Mr. Georgescu’s exclusion, sparked significant protests, some of which turned violent.
Top US officials have also condemned the decision to annul the previous election.
Romania’s constitutional court canceled the election due to allegations of Russian interference, which Moscow denies, and due to extensive social media promotions for Mr. Georgescu.
Mr. Simion deactivated his TikTok and Facebook accounts to “observe the day of silence” but resumed activity today.
The electoral campaign unfolded in a charged environment.
Last week saw the unexpected resignation of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and the collapse of his pro-European government coalition after their candidate failed to advance to the runoff, elevating the stakes further.
The new president will have the authority to appoint a new prime minister, and Mr. Simion’s nationalist AUR party could join the government following negotiations to form a new parliamentary majority.
The electoral turmoil has also intensified economic uncertainty in the EU’s most indebted nation, struggling with high inflation.
“The implications of these elections are enormous, given the prevailing chaos in Romania following the annulment,” voter Runa Petringenaru explained.
“Such a situation is unprecedented here and likely nowhere else in Europe, and we’re eager for it to conclude,” added the 55-year-old workshop organizer.
