Romanian hard-right leader emerges as the clear victor in the first round of the presidential election

George Simion, a hard-right eurosceptic, emerged victorious in the first round of Romania’s presidential election re-run on Sunday, according to near-final results. This ballot was viewed as a significant test of the growing influence of Donald Trump-style nationalism within the European Union.

Ballots from almost 99.6% of voting stations indicated that Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, 55, secured second place with approximately 21%, trailing Simion, who garnered 40.6%. A runoff is scheduled for May 18, where they will meet.

According to political observers, a Simion victory could lead to the country’s isolation, diminish private investment, and destabilize NATO’s eastern flank, where Ukraine has been engaged in a three-year conflict with Russian forces.

This would further enlarge the group of eurosceptic leaders within the EU, which already comprises the prime ministers of Hungary and Slovakia, at a moment when Europe is grappling with how to respond to Trump.

“This is more than an electoral win; it represents a triumph of Romanian dignity.” “This is a triumph for those who have maintained their hope, for those who continue to believe in Romania as a free, respected, and sovereign nation,” Simion stated.

Capitalizing on a surge of public discontent with established leaders, Simion, 38, stands against military assistance to neighboring Ukraine, expresses criticism of EU leadership, and claims alignment with the U.S. president’s Make America Great Again movement.

“We are a party aligned with Trumpist ideals, committed to governing Romania and ensuring it becomes a robust partner in NATO and a steadfast ally of the United States,” Simion stated to foreign media just before the polling stations closed.

Dan, an independent candidate campaigning on an anti-corruption platform, surpassed former senator Crin Antonescu, 65, who is a centrist candidate supported by the three parties in the pro-western coalition government, to secure his place in the runoff.

He garnered significant backing from Romanians living abroad, who have shown a preference for anti-establishment candidates like him and Simion in recent years. The votes from 96% of ballot boxes indicated he received 26%, compared to Simion’s 60% and Antonescu’s 7%.

“With a focus on the West, I am convinced that this campaign should center on maintaining a Western orientation in Romania,” Dan stated to reporters on Sunday evening.

“… (and) clearly articulating to the people at home the limitations we faced in our relationships with these institutions. They originated more from our own shortcomings in failing to be proactive and ready.

Observers noted that he might find it more challenging to defeat Simion in the run-off compared to Antonescu, owing to the rivalries with mainstream parties that complicate voter switching. Numerous members of the ruling Social Democrat and Liberal parties expressed that they aligned more closely with Simion than with Dan, they stated.

Victor Ponta, a former leftist prime minister who has transitioned to conservative nationalist politics, may play a crucial role following Sunday’s vote after securing fourth place with 1.22 million votes. He could utilize his electoral strength to emerge as a kingmaker in the political arena.

“At this moment, Simion holds a larger pool of votes compared to Dan,” stated political scientist Cristian Pirvulescu. “Romania has the potential to alter the power dynamics in Europe in favor of extremism.”

INTERFERENCE BY RUSSIA

Sunday’s vote occurred five months after an initial attempt to conduct the election was called off due to claims of Russian interference favoring far-right frontrunner Calin Georgescu, who has since been prohibited from running again.

Simion, who previously scored only 14%, now seems to have gained significant support for the far-right, influenced by Georgescu.

On Sunday, he cast his vote alongside Georgescu, who described the election as a “fraud” and encouraged citizens to reclaim their country. As a crowd of people gathered outside the voting station, chanting “Calin for president,” Simion expressed that his vote was “to restore democracy.”

Simion is not the sole MAGA-style politician aiming for election in central Europe. This week, Karol Nawrocki, the presidential candidate supported by Poland’s leading nationalist opposition party for the upcoming presidential election on May 18, had a meeting with the U.S. president.
“On Friday, Simion informed Reuters that Romania and Poland hold significant importance for the United States.”

We advocate for partners and allies, encompassing both military and political spheres, to the current U.S. administration. This highlights the significance of having MAGA presidents in leadership roles in Bucharest and Warsaw.

The president of Romania holds a semi-executive position, which encompasses the command of the armed forces and the chairmanship of the security council responsible for decisions regarding military aid. Simion has indicated that, if elected, he may pursue the opportunity to promote Georgescu to a leadership position.

Analysts suggest that the leftist-led governing coalition in the country could falter if Simion ascends to the presidency.

So far, Romania has provided a Patriot air defence battery to Kyiv, is training Ukrainian fighter pilots, and has facilitated the export of 30 million metric tons of Ukrainian grain through its Black Sea port of Constanta since the onset of Russia’s invasion.

The president of the country has the authority to veto significant EU votes and is responsible for appointing the prime minister, chief judges, prosecutors, and heads of the secret service.

The Trump administration has criticized Romania for stifling political opposition and failing to uphold democratic values following the cancellation of November’s election, which Vice President JD Vance described as based on “flimsy evidence”.