George Simion wins first round in Romania presidential re-run

Trump-style candidate leads Romania’s vote, eyes run-off amid rising Euroscepticism in EU.

George Simion, presidential candidate and leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), speaks during a press conference outside the Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest, Romania, on May 4, 2025. Photo by Ioana Moldovan/Bloomberg

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

George Simion, the hard-right, Trump-aligned nationalist, has taken a decisive lead in the first round of Romania’s presidential election re-run, signaling a major shift in the country’s political landscape and potentially in the European Union's broader balance. With nearly all votes counted—about 99.6%—Simion secured 40.6% of the vote, outpacing Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, who came second with around 21%.

The two candidates will face off in a run-off vote on May 18, a showdown that is expected to shape Romania’s future direction on foreign policy, NATO alignment, and internal democratic stability. The George Simion Romania election surge is being closely watched across Europe as a barometer for the spread of Donald Trump-style nationalism within the EU.

A nationalist echo of Trump in Eastern Europe

Simion’s campaign has capitalized on populist themes familiar to right-wing movements in the United States and parts of Europe. He has declared himself aligned with the “Make America Great Again” platform and openly embraced comparisons to former U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking before polls closed, Simion told foreign media, “We are a Trumpist party which will govern Romania and which will make Romania a strong partner in NATO and a strong ally of the United States.”

The candidate’s rise has been fueled by public disillusionment with mainstream political elites, EU bureaucracy, and Romania’s support for Ukraine’s war effort. Simion has voiced opposition to further military aid to Ukraine and criticized EU leadership, positioning himself as a sovereigntist in favor of national control over policy decisions—a stance that mirrors the nationalist rhetoric of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

“This is not just an electoral victory,” Simion declared after early results were announced. “It is a victory of Romanian dignity. It is the victory of those who have not lost hope, of those who still believe in Romania, a free, respected, sovereign country.”

Nicusor Dan’s uphill battle

Nicusor Dan, a 55-year-old independent mayor and former mathematician, now has just over two weeks to prepare for the run-off. Running on an anti-corruption platform, Dan presents himself as a pro-Western technocrat committed to transparency and democratic reforms. Despite a significant boost from overseas Romanians, who gave him 26% of the diaspora vote compared to Simion’s 60%, analysts say Dan faces an uphill climb to consolidate enough centrist and leftist support to win the presidency.

“Eyes on the West, I believe that this is what the campaign should be about,” Dan said on election night. “It’s about keeping the Western direction in Romania, and explaining to the people at home our shortcomings in relations with these institutions.”

However, internal divisions among mainstream pro-Western parties, particularly between Dan and the ruling Social Democrat and Liberal parties, could prevent a united front. Many voters in those camps reportedly share more ideological overlap with Simion’s nationalist policies than with Dan’s platform.

Fallout for NATO and the EU

Political analysts warn that a Simion victory in the George Simion Romania election could strain Romania’s commitments to NATO and the EU. The president of Romania holds key foreign policy and security responsibilities, including command of the armed forces and leadership of the national security council that oversees military decisions such as arms support for Ukraine.

While Romania has thus far remained a staunch supporter of Ukraine—donating a Patriot missile defense system, facilitating grain exports through the port of Constanta, and training Ukrainian fighter pilots—a Simion presidency could mark a dramatic pivot. Some observers fear a rollback of that support and potential vetoes on future EU initiatives, particularly those involving military coordination or sanctions policy.

“This is a turning point,” said Cristian Pirvulescu, a leading Romanian political scientist. “Romania can now shift the power balance in Europe towards extremism.”

Political realignments and the kingmaker

Another key player emerging from Sunday’s results is Victor Ponta, a former leftist prime minister who has embraced conservative nationalism in recent years. Ponta finished fourth with 1.22 million votes and is now seen as a potential kingmaker in Romania’s shifting political landscape. His endorsement—or strategic silence—could play a critical role in the run-off outcome.

Meanwhile, centrist candidate Crin Antonescu, 65, who had the backing of the pro-Western coalition, was knocked out of the race. Antonescu’s failure to secure a place in the run-off is a stark illustration of the fragmentation within Romania’s political center.

Russian interference and the far-right rebound

The current presidential race was triggered by the cancellation of a previous vote last November, which authorities attributed to Russian meddling on behalf of far-right front-runner Calin Georgescu. Although banned from standing again, Georgescu remains a vocal supporter of Simion and joined him at the ballot box on Sunday.

“This is fraud,” Georgescu proclaimed outside the voting station, surrounded by supporters chanting, “Calin for president.” Simion, casting his vote alongside Georgescu, said he was voting “to restore democracy.”

Simion’s performance marks a remarkable rebound from his 14% showing in the annulled election last year, suggesting that the energy behind Georgescu’s movement has transferred to him. The far-right’s growing base is now an undeniable force in Romanian politics.

The broader regional implications

Romania is not alone in this rightward shift. Karol Nawrocki, the nationalist-backed candidate in Poland’s upcoming presidential election on May 18—the same day as Romania’s run-off—recently met with the U.S. president, signaling a growing effort by nationalist leaders in Central Europe to align more closely with Washington under a potential future Trump administration.

“Romania and Poland are two important countries for the United States,” Simion said in an interview on Friday. “We represent partners and we represent allies, both military and politically, to the current U.S. administration. This is why it is important for Maga presidents to be in charge in Bucharest and Warsaw.”

Constitutional limits, but vast influence

Though the Romanian presidency is not fully executive, the role commands substantial influence. The president nominates the prime minister, appoints high-ranking judicial and intelligence officials, and has veto power over key EU legislation. This makes the George Simion Romania election not merely symbolic but instrumental in defining the nation's trajectory on matters of democratic governance and foreign policy.

A Simion victory could also destabilize the current leftist-led government, which may fracture under internal tensions if he ascends to the presidency.

Democratic values under scrutiny

The United States has already expressed concern over Romania’s electoral processes. After the cancellation of the November vote, U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance criticized the decision, accusing Romanian authorities of suppressing opposition voices based on “flimsy evidence.” These statements point to a growing tension between Romania’s democratic institutions and the populist wave embodied by Simion.

As Romania prepares for the May 18 run-off, the outcome could reverberate far beyond Bucharest—potentially altering Europe’s political complexion and reshaping the NATO alliance at a time of ongoing war in Ukraine.

Whether the second round of the George Simion Romania election solidifies the nationalist momentum or reins it in will not only decide the country’s next president but also reflect the strength of liberal democracy in one of NATO’s most strategically critical nations.