Romania's pro-European Union presidential candidate Nicușor Dan has emerged victorious in the country's recent presidential election, decisively defeating his ultranationalist opponent. With all votes counted, the centrist candidate secured nearly 54% of the ballots cast, marking a significant win over hard-right candidate George Simion, known for his support of former US President Donald Trump.
Simion, who has openly opposed military aid to Ukraine and has been critical of the European Union, initially appeared to be a strong contender after winning the first election round on May 4. However, Dan's momentum shifted after he excelled in a televised debate, ultimately swaying public opinion in his favor. Celebrating with his enthusiastic supporters, Dan remarked that the election results showcased the “incredible power of the Romanian society,” as reported by Reuters.
“Elections are about community. In today’s elections, a community of Romanians who want a profound change in Romania won,” Dan stated, urging his followers to remain patient as the country faces challenges ahead. He emphasized that the upcoming period is critical for the economic stability and societal health of Romania.
Despite declaring himself the “new president” earlier in the day, Simion conceded defeat later that evening in a video shared on X. He vowed to continue fighting alongside “sovereigntist patriots and conservatives around the world,” stating, “It was an honor for me to represent our movement in this battle. We lost this battle, but we didn’t and will never lose our war.”
This election follows a tumultuous five months since the previous vote, which had been annulled due to allegations of Russian interference. The former far-right candidate, Calin Georgescu, who had gained significant traction, was subsequently banned from this rerun after facing various criminal charges, including founding a fascist group.
Over 10 million Romanians cast their votes in this election, which has been widely interpreted as a referendum on the future direction of the country, reflecting a choice between East and West. It serves as a critical litmus test for the growing influence of Trump-style nationalism across Europe. As the current mayor of Bucharest, Dan has been a vocal advocate for Romania's NATO membership and has pledged ongoing support for Ukraine, viewing it as essential for Romania’s security against Russian aggression. Furthermore, he has committed to tackling corruption within the government.
Simion has garnered substantial support from Romania's diaspora, one of the largest in the world, with about 60% of the diaspora voting for him in the first round. To bolster his candidacy, he traveled extensively to countries including Austria, Italy, Poland, Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom, seeking to win over voters living abroad.
Following Dan's victory, a number of European leaders extended their congratulations, including Emmanuel Macron of France, Donald Tusk of Poland, and Maia Sandu of Moldova. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Dan's “historic victory” and acknowledged Romania's role as a “reliable partner” to Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her enthusiasm to collaborate with Dan as he takes on his new leadership role, stating, “The Romanian people have turned out massively to the polls. They have chosen the promise of an open, prosperous Romania in a strong Europe. Together let’s deliver on that promise.”
Earlier on election day, Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Andrei Tarnea highlighted concerns regarding Russian interference, noting the presence of a viral campaign of fake news on platforms like Telegram aimed at influencing the electoral process. Tarnea assured the public that authorities were actively debunking these false narratives. In response, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova dismissed the allegations, questioning the integrity of the election process and asserting, “It’s impossible to interfere in something like that — only to get smeared in it. So don’t smear anyone else with your electoral mess.”
