George Simion, the hard-right leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), appeared on course for victory in the first round of Romania’s presidential election re-run held on Sunday, May 4, 2025, according to exit polls and preliminary official results. Simion secured around 40% of the vote, positioning himself strongly ahead of his rivals and setting the stage for a tense runoff scheduled for May 18.
Simion’s Nationalist Platform and Trump-Style Populism
Simion, 38, is a vocal supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement and campaigns on a nationalist, Eurosceptic platform. He opposes military aid to Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia and criticizes the European Union’s influence over Romania, pledging to restore Romanian sovereignty and dignity. His rise reflects a broader surge of Trump-style nationalism within parts of the European Union.
Close Contest for Second Place
The race for second place, which will determine Simion’s opponent in the runoff, remained too close to call as votes were still being tallied. Centrist candidates Crin Antonescu, a former senator backed by the pro-European governing coalition, and Nicușor Dan, the independent mayor of Bucharest, were neck and neck with approximately 20-23% of the vote each. Both candidates represent more moderate, pro-EU and pro-NATO positions.
Strong Support Among Romanian Diaspora
Simion enjoyed significant backing from Romania’s diaspora, with preliminary results showing 77% support in Italy and 80% in Spain. His campaign’s heavy use of online platforms helped mobilize overseas voters, a crucial constituency in Romanian elections.
Political Implications and Next Steps
Simion’s projected first-round lead marks a significant challenge to Romania’s political establishment. Analysts warn that his potential victory in the runoff could isolate Romania internationally, undermine private investment, and destabilize NATO’s eastern flank, given the country’s strategic role near the Ukraine conflict zone.
Simion declared the exit poll results a “victory of Romanian dignity” and called for vigilance to ensure a fair vote count. Meanwhile, his opponents urged caution, emphasizing that final results including diaspora votes could alter the outcome.
The runoff election on May 18 will be a critical test between nationalist and pro-European forces in Romania, with significant implications for the country’s domestic politics and its role within the EU and NATO.
Sources: Politico1, Euronews2, CNN3, Le Monde5, BBC6, Reuters9