Romanian voters headed to the polls on Sunday for a high-stakes presidential runoff between nationalist leader George Simion and pro-European candidate Nicușor Dan, in a contest that could significantly shape the country’s domestic and foreign policy direction.
This runoff follows a controversial annulment of the 2024 presidential election results, prompted by widespread allegations of irregular campaigning practices and foreign interference. The fallout from the annulment triggered a political crisis, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and the collapse of the ruling coalition government.
George Simion, 38, leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), emerged as the frontrunner in the first round held earlier this month, securing 40.96% of the vote. A vocal Eurosceptic, Simion has campaigned on a “Romania First” platform, promising tax cuts, deregulation, and an end to Romanian military support for Ukraine.
His opponent, 55-year-old Nicușor Dan, the current mayor of Bucharest, garnered 20.99% in the first round. Dan has positioned himself as a staunch advocate of Romania’s continued integration with the European Union and NATO. He has received endorsements from the Save Romania Union (USR) and the National Liberal Party (PNL). The influential Social Democratic Party (PSD), however, has withheld support for either candidate.
The outcome of Sunday’s vote is seen as pivotal, given the Romanian president’s constitutionally mandated authority over foreign policy, defense, and the nomination of the prime minister.
According to Romania’s Permanent Electoral Authority, more than 18 million registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots at 18,979 polling stations nationwide. An additional 965 polling stations have been set up abroad to accommodate Romanian citizens living overseas.
Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. local time (0400 GMT) and will close at 9 p.m. (1800 GMT). Preliminary results are expected late Sunday night or early Monday morning.
The closely watched runoff has drawn attention from both domestic and international observers, as Romania stands at a critical political juncture.
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