Pro-EU Candidate Nicușor Dan Defeats Far-Right Rival in Romania’s Presidential Election

In a significant victory for pro-European politics, centrist candidate Nicușor Dan has won Romania’s presidential election, defeating hard-right challenger George Simion in a closely watched runoff that drew international attention.

With more than 99% of the vote counted, Dan secured at least 53% of ballots cast, defeating Simion — a nationalist firebrand and vocal admirer of Donald Trump — who had been the frontrunner after the first round on May 4.

A Shift in Momentum

Simion initially appeared poised for victory after a strong first-round showing. However, Dan gained traction after dominating a televised debate and emphasizing his pro-EU, pro-NATO stance.

Celebrating with supporters, Dan praised the “incredible power of the Romanian society” and said the outcome showed that “a community of Romanians who want a profound change” had prevailed.

“Elections are about community,” Dan said, urging his supporters to remain patient. “A difficult period lies ahead, but it’s necessary to stabilize our economy and build a healthier society.”

Simion Concedes But Vows to Fight On

Despite prematurely declaring himself the “new president” earlier in the day, Simion conceded defeat Sunday night in a video posted to X (formerly Twitter). Still, he framed the loss as just one battle in a broader ideological war.

“It was an honor for me to represent our movement. We lost this battle, but we didn’t and will never lose our war,” he declared, vowing to continue championing “sovereigntist patriots and conservatives around the world.”

A Vote with Global Implications

This election was more than a national contest — it became a symbolic showdown between Western democratic values and the rise of populist nationalism in Eastern Europe.

Over 10 million Romanians voted in what many described as a choice between East and West. Dan’s victory was widely viewed as a blow to Trump-style ultranationalism on the continent.

Dan, currently the mayor of Bucharest, ran on a platform that included strong support for NATO, continued aid for Ukraine, and a pledge to root out corruption. He argued that helping Ukraine is essential to Romania’s own security against Russian aggression.

Simion, by contrast, opposed military aid to Ukraine and routinely criticized both NATO and the European Union. He had considerable backing from Romania’s large diaspora, with around 60% of overseas voters supporting him in the first round. In the lead-up to the runoff, Simion campaigned across Austria, Italy, France, the UK, and other countries to drum up support.

International Reactions

World leaders quickly congratulated Dan on his win. French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Moldovan President Maia Sandu were among those who offered their best wishes.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Dan’s win a “historic victory,” thanking Romania for being a “reliable partner” in the region.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also weighed in, saying, “The Romanian people have chosen the promise of an open, prosperous Romania in a strong Europe. Together, let’s deliver on that promise.”

Allegations of Interference

The election came just five months after the previous result was annulled amid allegations of Russian meddling. The former far-right candidate, Calin Georgescu, who saw a sudden surge in popularity, was later banned from running after being charged with crimes including founding a fascist group.

Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned of similar interference attempts this time around. Spokesperson Andrei Tarnea pointed to fake news campaigns on Telegram and other platforms designed to sway the election.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova dismissed the claims, saying, “It’s impossible to interfere in something like that — only to get smeared in it.”