Skip to main content
Donate to the 95 years appeal
Far-right Simion wins first round of Romanian presidential election
Presidential candidate George Simion addresses supporters via video link after polls closed for the first round of the country's presidential election redo in Bucharest, Romania, May 4, 2025

AFTER decisively winning the most votes in Romania’s first-round presidential election rerun, far-right candidate George Simion will face a pro-Western reformist in a runoff in two weeks.

The final result of the election could reshape the European Union and Nato member country’s geopolitical direction.

Mr Simion, the leader of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) and staunch supporter of United States President Donald Trump, won with 40.96 per cent of the vote, according to official electoral data.

Mr Simion, who came fourth in last year's race said: “I am here to restore constitutional order. 

“I want democracy, I want normalcy, and I have a single objective: to give back to the Romanian people what was taken from them and to place at the centre of decision-making the ordinary, honest, dignified people.”

In second place was Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan with 20.99 per cent.

Mr Dan, a mathematician and former anti-corruption activist who founded the Save Romania Union party in 2016, ran on a pro-EU ticket, told the media early today that “this was a democratic process that Romania needed, this won’t be a debate between individuals, it will be a debate between a pro-Western direction for Romania and an anti-Western one.”

In third place was the governing coalition’s joint candidate, Crin Antonescu, with 20.07 per cent, and behind him Victor Ponta, a former prime minister from 2012-2015, with 13 per cent of the vote, while Elena Lasconi, who came second in last year’s first round ballot, only winning about 2.6 per cent.

The final turnout stood at 9.57 million people — or 53.2 per cent of eligible voters.

Last year’s election was annulled after far-right outsider Calin Georgescu topped the first round, following allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference, which Moscow has denied.

The runoff will be held on May 18.

 

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness speaks following a meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex, in Washington, March 30, 2022
Jamaica / 4 September 2025
4 September 2025
People wait to watch a parade marking Vietnam's 80th National Day anniversary, at a street in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 2, 2025
Vietnam / 2 September 2025
2 September 2025
Civil defense workers, locals, and army soldiers prepare to evacuate injured victims of an earthquake that killed hundreds and destroyed numerous villages in eastern Afghanistan, in Mazar Dara, Kunar province, September 1, 2025
Afghanistan / 1 September 2025
1 September 2025
Prime Minister Ahmed Galeb al-Rahawi
Israel / 31 August 2025
31 August 2025
Similar stories
gaza
Gaza / 21 May 2025
21 May 2025

Israel continues to pound Gaza as activists call for a public inquiry into Britain’s role

bolivia
Bolivia / 21 May 2025
21 May 2025
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele waves as he departs following a meeting at the White House with President Donald Trump, April 14, 2025, in Washington
World / 21 April 2025
21 April 2025