Nicusor Dan defeats a far-right opponent in a high-stakes runoff to win the Romanian presidency

Nicusor Dan defeats George Simion, a far-right opponent, in a high-turnout, politically charged runoff to win the presidency of Romania.

In a fiercely contested race that reflected the country’s widening political divide, liberal and pro-European Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan defeated far-right opponent George Simion to win Romania’s presidential runoff after months of political unrest and a dramatic electoral showdown.

Over six million Romanians voted for Dan, who received 54% of the vote in an election with a high voter turnout and active public participation. He defeated Simion, the far-right AUR party’s nationalist leader, after a contentious period that featured a vote that was canceled last year due to suspected Russian meddling.

“We need to build Romania together irrespective of who you voted for,” Dan stated in his victory address, implying a call for national cohesion. When Dan spoke to the crowd outside City Hall in Bucharest shortly after midnight, they erupted in cheers and sang his name.

Dan said, “This is a victory for a Romania that seeks a break from extremism, honesty in leadership, and a European future.” “A group of Romanians who desire significant change have prevailed.”

Simion ran on a populist platform that attacked the EU and aid to Ukraine after achieving an unexpected first-round victory earlier this month. His partnership with far-right candidate Calin Georgescu, who was prohibited from running again following the previous vote annulment, shocked a lot of Romanians and sparked a national discussion about the country’s political future.

Despite having a sizable following in Spain, Italy, Germany, and the UK, Simion’s base was ultimately overshadowed by Dan’s wider appeal on a national and worldwide scale. 87% of Romanian voters supported Dan in Moldova, a neighboring nation with significant ties to Romania.

The president-elect was congratulated by world leaders in a hurry. Romania’s dedication to stability and cooperation was praised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, while Moldovan President Maia Sandu hailed Dan’s victory as a reaffirmation of shared democratic ideals. The outcome was characterized as a “massive turnout for a stronger Europe” by Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission.

Years of unstable government and public discontent with established political parties are the backdrops for the runoff. Following the failure of its presidential candidate to advance past the second round earlier this month, Romania’s government fell apart.

Europeans were alarmed by Simion’s combative speech, allegations of media prejudice, and persistent charges of Russian sympathies, whereas Dan centered his campaign on anti-corruption, EU collaboration, and support for Ukraine. Simion called himself “a man of the people” and defended Georgescu on numerous occasions during the campaign.

Simion’s performance, despite his defeat, highlights a growing populist feeling, particularly among Romanians living outside who feel cut off from their country’s affairs. According to Maria Grancea, a Simion supporter in London, “our children had to leave Romania to find work.” “We desire change.”