Romania presidential candidate Nicușor Dan, a European pro-union, won the country’s presidential elections on Sunday, defeating his ultra-national rival.
With 98% of the votes counted, the centrist candidate won at least 53% of the votes expressed, a clear victory over far-right candidate George Simon, who is a fan of US President Donald Trump.
Simion, who opposes military aid to Ukraine and criticizes the EU, seemed to be on the good way to win the elections after winning the first lap on May 4. However, Dan gained ground after defeating Simion in a television debate.
The elections were held five months after the outcome of the original vote, which saw the former far-right outsider Calin Georgescu gain popularity, was annulled due to allegations of Russian interference.
Georgescu was later banned from this month’s repetition of elections after being accused of various crimes, including the founding of a fascist group.
More than ten million Romanians voted on Sunday’s elections, which were widely seen as a choice between the east and the West and a decisive test for the rise of Trump -style nationalism in Europe.
Dan, who is currently mayor of the capital of Bucarest, is a strong supporter of Romania’s adhesion to NATO and has committed to continuing to provide help to Ukraine, which he considers fundamental to Romania’s security against Russia’s threat. He also promised to combat corruption.
Simion seems to have the support of the Romanian diaspora, one of the largest in any country in the world. About 60% of the diaspora voted in Simion in the first lap. Since then, Simion has spent a long time outside Romania, traveling to Austria, Italy, Poland, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom, in an attempt to win voters abroad.
Several European leaders congratulated Dan for their victory, including Donald Tusk, Poland, and Maia Sandu, from Moldova.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her desire to work with Dan as the country’s new leader.
“The Romanian people came to the polls. He chose the promise of an open and prosperous Romania in a strong Europe. Together, we will fulfill this promise,” said von der Leyen at X.
On Sunday, Romanian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Tarnea said the elections were marked by “signs of Russian interference.”
“A viral campaign of fake news on Telegram and other social networking platforms aims to influence the electoral process. This was expected and the authorities denied the fake news,” Tarnea said at X.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova responded by questioning the integrity of the elections. “It is impossible to interfere with something like this – just to be defamed. So they do not make anyone else with your electoral confusion,” he said.
