Romania: Far-right leader George Simion tops round 1 of Presidential polls

Romanian far-right politician George Simion, a self-proclaimed “natural ally” of US President Donald Trump recorded a resounding victory in the first round of his country’s presidential election rerun.

Though final results are not expected until later today - Simion is comfortably in the lead with a projected vote share of over 40%.

Centrist-mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan and the governing coalition’s joint candidate, Crin Antonescu were far behind with a little over 20% of the votes each. Antonescu conceded defeat after midnight calling the results “irreversible”.

For context - this is the second time in six months that Romania has gone to the polls. This after the country's Constitutional Court annulled the November 2024 election’s first round results won by Calin Georgescu over allegations of campaign fraud and Russian interference.

Simion’s far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians began as an anti-vax movement during the pandemic. He has repeatedly voiced opposition to giving Ukraine military aid, a country bordering his own. Victory for his far-right party could further exacerbate relations with the EU and NATO, whose leaders he has vilified. It would also mean veering from Romania’s present pro-western path and becoming another disruptive force within the bloc and the transatlantic defence alliance.

Simion will now face Dan in a May 18 run-off following Sunday’s vote.