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Far-Right Candidate George Simion Leads Romanian Election, Triggering Political Upheaval

Simion's 41% first-round victory prompts Prime Minister's resignation, leaving Romania in political uncertainty ahead of May 18 runoff.

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Le candidat d'extrême droite George Simion s'adresse à ses partisans après la fermeture des bureaux de vote pour le premier tour de l'élection présidentielle en Roumanie, dimanche 4 mai 2025.
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Overview

  • George Simion, leader of the far-right AUR party, secured nearly 41% of the vote in Romania's presidential election's first round on May 4.
  • Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, with approximately 21% of the vote, will face Simion in the May 18 runoff.
  • Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu resigned on May 5, citing the ruling coalition's loss of legitimacy, and Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu was appointed interim leader.
  • Simion's platform includes nationalist policies such as opposing EU and NATO priorities and annexing Romanian-speaking regions in Moldova and Ukraine.
  • The election follows the annulment of the December 2024 vote over alleged Russian interference, with authorities now monitoring election integrity closely.