Romania’s hard-right leader George Simion wins first round of presidential election

George Simion, a far-right, eurosceptic politician, emerged as the clear winner in the first round of Romania's presidential election re-run on Sunday, securing 41% of the vote. He will face Bucharest's Mayor Nicusor Dan, who came in second with 21%, in a runoff scheduled for May 18.

Simion’s strong performance signals growing support for nationalist and anti-EU sentiment in Romania, echoing Donald Trump's political style. He campaigned on restoring Romanian sovereignty, rejecting EU influence, and aligning closely with the U.S. under Trump's vision. He also opposes military assistance to Ukraine.

He dominated domestically by winning 36 of 47 regions and secured a majority of the overseas vote. Dan, an anti-corruption candidate, warned that the second round would be a crucial choice between a pro-Western and an isolationist future for Romania.

The vote follows a previously cancelled election allegedly disrupted by Russian interference. Simion’s rise has been partly fueled by the popularity of banned far-right figure Calin Georgescu, who supported him publicly on election day.

Analysts warn a Simion presidency could destabilize Romania’s political scene, weaken investment, and shift EU power dynamics further toward nationalist leadership.