At the end of November 2024, the world was rounded by the news of the first round of the presidential election in Romania won by pro -Russian candidate Calin Georgescu. These were another signal that, especially in Eastern Europe, a small part of the voters is capable of voting for the alleged dictatorship of Brussels to vote for politicians who are building their popularity to celebrate an authoritarian leader with clearly dictatorial methods.
The message of Georgesco’s success was therefore given the attribute “shocking”.
However, it was even more shocking when the Romanian Constitutional Court annulled the elections on Friday 6 December 2024, as Russian intelligence services were unlawfully affected. The world has begun to discuss widely through the world to what extent the judges could interfere with the decision -making of voters.
The eligibility of the discussion was also stimulated by the fact that after the shutdown of Georgesca – the court forbade him to run – another pro -Russian candidate became a new favorite of the elections. 38-year-old George Simion.
The controversy on Sunday 18th May 2025 was cut off by the Romanians themselves. In contrast to expectations, they chose pro -European Nicosura Dan for the head of the state.
In Europe, the result is also interpreted as a failure of the Kremlin strategists.
Romanian political scientist Costin Cioban, however, for Aktuality.sk drew attention to another factor that could have had more influence on the results of the vote: Simion’s radicalism.
Romanians mobilized
Still, only 38-year-old Simion won only 14 percent of voters in the first round of the presidential election last year. But the Romanian Supreme Court later canceled the elections and now they have made a “reparation”.
The reason was the suspicion that one of Calin Georgescu’s most proper candidates manipulated the social network Tik flow. Two weeks ago, the radical Simion, who shockingly won the repeated first round of the election, was busy.
In the second round, however, he gained just over 42 percent, against the winner, mayor of Bucharest Nicosur Dan. According to analysts, Romanian voters have been scared that Simion would put the country into isolation and associate with Russia.
“He worried many voters – incalculable behavior after the first round, ambiguous or hard -to -implement attitudes, such as plans for the release of 500,000 civil servants. But also by statements that questioned his democratic commitments,” calculates Romanian political scientist Cioban. “Some Georgesco’s statements concerning Romania and Russia relations have also raised concerns and helped mobilize key voters’ segments.”
Voters participated in the elections in abundance, both at home and abroad, confirming their confidence in the election process, evaluates political scientist Cioban. Sunday’s second round of elections was described by a researcher of the University of Aarhus, Denmark as “one of the most remarkable returns in modern Romanian political history.” “Romanians clearly appreciate the stories of outsiders – and the victory of Nicușora Dan is proof of that,” says Cioban.
In Romania, the presidential elections are also closely monitored because the country has a so -called semi -presidential system and the head of state has great powers there.
The President appoints the Prime Minister, has the main say in foreign and security policy and also at the EU summits – unlike Slovakia – represents the country (in our country and in Hungary it is the role of the Prime Minister).
Romania won’t come out of the way
Fifty -five -year -old Dan has committed himself in the campaign to fight against expanding corruption, preserves the support of Ukraine (Romania has an important logistics role) and keeps the country firmly in the European main current.
Dan in the country is one of the most successful mathematicians. Twice he achieved an exceptional result in the most prestigious competition International Mathematical Olympics. According to analysts, he acts a bit like a “scientist”. It wears curly mane and is rather mild. According to analysts, many voters gave him a voice primarily to prevent the victory of the radical Simion.
Dana supports the Association to save Romania (USR), the pro -European and anti -corruption party he co -founded. It is assumed that it is likely to be appointed by the Prime Minister from the USR and will try to form a minority government, which may also be supported by the National Liberal Party.
In his speech to his celebrating supporters in the center of Bucharest, the future President of the 19 million EU Member State said that Monday will start talks about the creation of a new government. He admitted, however, that his work would be difficult. “We have a difficult time to restore economic balance,” he said. “Please have hope and patience.”
Romanians are generally dissatisfied with the dominance of mainstream parties and turbulence in that Member State of the European Union, and NATO has intensified at the beginning of the month when the government disintegrated because its candidate did not advance to the second round of the election.
While Nicusor Dan built a campaign to combat corruption and maintain support for the northeastern neighbor – Ukraine, Simion attacked the EU and called for a reduction in the help of Kiev.
“Russia, don’t forget, Romania is not yours,” Dan’s supporters chanted.
The country remains divided
In the past two weeks, voters had the opportunity to imagine what Simion’s Presidency could look like – and many have clearly refused this scenario, says political scientist Cioban for news. “The result confirms the strong Euro -Atlantic orientation of Romania. Despite recent tensions and challenges, the country remains a reliable and devoted EU and NATO partner.
The new president is taking office with a strong democratic mandate and won with a greater difference than expected. “But the unification of the polarized electorate and cooperation with the discredited political establishment will be a great challenge. All views are now being delayed on the crown jewel of executive power – the appointment of the future premiere and the creation of a future government coalition,” concludes Romanian political scientist.
