Far-Right George Simion Leads in First Round of Romanian Presidential Election

BUCHAREST, Romania - 5 May 2025

Romania has witnessed a political earthquake in its presidential race, as George Simion, leader of the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), surged ahead in the first round of the re-run presidential election held on 4 May 2025. Simion secured approximately 40.5% of the national vote, positioning himself for a runoff against Nicușor Dan, the centrist and pro-European mayor of Bucharest, who captured around 21%. The decisive second round is scheduled for 18 May.

This election was necessitated by the annulment of the 2024 presidential vote, which was marred by credible reports of Russian electoral interference in favour of ultra-conservative candidate Călin Georgescu. The scandal led to the resignation of President Klaus Iohannis in February 2025, with Senate President Ilie Bolojan assuming the interim presidency.

George Simion’s victory in the first round represents a decisive shift in Romanian politics. His campaign was centred on nationalist rhetoric, opposition to European Union centralisation, and a skeptical view of continued military support to Ukraine. He has drawn favourable comparisons to Donald Trump, embracing a confrontational populist style and openly aligning himself with the MAGA movement in the United States.

Simion is a highly controversial figure in the region. He has been banned from entering both Moldova and Ukraine—Moldova for alleged provocations surrounding the sensitive issue of reunification with Romania, and Ukraine for suspected connections with ultranationalist groups and spreading disinformation during wartime.

The results triggered immediate political repercussions. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced his resignation late on 5 May, taking responsibility for the failure of his governing coalition’s candidate to advance. His Social Democratic Party (PSD) also withdrew from the ruling coalition, plunging the government into a caretaker role until a new parliamentary majority can be formed following the runoff.

Simion’s rise has unsettled both domestic elites and international partners. While he has affirmed Romania’s commitment to NATO, his Eurosceptic stance and anti-interventionist rhetoric regarding Ukraine have raised alarms in Brussels and Washington. Concerns are mounting about whether a Simion presidency could weaken Romania’s role as a strategic NATO frontier state in Eastern Europe, particularly given his past statements critical of Western defence cooperation.

The runoff promises to be one of the most polarising elections in Romania’s post-communist history. Dan, a technocratic figure with a record of urban reform and commitment to EU values, is seeking to consolidate the centre and left-leaning vote, while Simion is mobilising a coalition of anti-establishment, nationalist, and conservative voters, many disillusioned by corruption and stagnation.

Turnout in the first round was notably high, suggesting that voter engagement remains robust amid the country’s political uncertainty. Analysts expect a bruising and ideologically charged campaign in the coming two weeks.

With the stakes encompassing not just national leadership but Romania’s strategic orientation, the 18 May runoff will likely be interpreted as a referendum on Romania’s future, whether it continues along a liberal democratic and pro-European trajectory, or shifts toward nationalist isolationism under Simion’s leadership.

Image: AUR/Flickr

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