Romania's Far-Right Leader Advances to Runoff

Romania’s hard-right populist leader George Simion secured a decisive lead in the first round of the country’s presidential election on Sunday, setting the stage for a runoff against pro-EU Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan later this month.

Official results showed Simion, the 38-year-old leader of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), winning 40.5% of the vote. Dan, a centrist former anti-corruption activist, trailed with 20.9%, while governing coalition candidate Crin Antonescu narrowly missed the runoff with 20.3%.

“I thank from the bottom of my heart all those who courageously placed their trust in me,” Simion said in a recorded message. “This was an act of solidarity, and I vow not to betray that trust.”

The election is a re-run of last year’s annulled vote, which was scrapped over allegations of Russian interference in favor of far-right candidate Călin Georgescu, now barred from office. Simion, a Georgescu ally, has capitalized on voter discontent, positioning himself as a Trump-style outsider railing against the political establishment.

A Populist Challenger with Trumpist Ties

Simion has openly aligned himself with Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, adopting its rhetoric and even sporting the U.S. president’s signature red cap at rallies. His AUR party, founded in 2019, has surged in popularity by opposing military aid to Ukraine, criticizing EU leadership, and promoting nationalist policies.

“Romania is not a democratic state anymore,” Simion told The Associated Press, framing his campaign as a revolt against a corrupt elite. He has vowed to appoint Georgescu—currently under investigation for alleged ties to Moscow—as prime minister if elected.

The party’s rise has been fueled by frustration over inflation, immigration, and pandemic-era restrictions, as well as conspiracy theories surrounding the canceled 2023 election. Simion has also courted controversy, calling for election officials to be “skinned” after Georgescu’s disqualification—a remark he later walked back.

A Test for Romania’s Pro-Western Course

The May 18 runoff will determine whether Romania, a NATO and EU member, follows other European nations in shifting toward nationalist leadership. While Simion has denounced Russia, his policies—including opposition to Ukraine aid and calls to reclaim territories from Moldova and Ukraine—have raised concerns among Western allies.

Dan, his opponent, has campaigned on strengthening Romania’s EU ties and combating corruption. “We need a president who can reform the system,” he said, acknowledging widespread disillusionment with the political class.

The election’s annulment last year drew criticism from figures like Elon Musk and J.D. Vance, while the Kremlin publicly backed Georgescu. Romania has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, but Simion’s rhetoric reflects growing populist backlash.

“Until we lift Romanians out of poverty, I will not prioritize aiding other nations,” he told Radio Europa in April.

As the runoff approaches, the vote has become a referendum on Romania’s future—between nationalist defiance and continued integration with the West.