Overview

• Independent candidate Nicușor Dan secured 53.6% of the vote in Romania’s presidential run-off, defeating far-right rival George Simion.
• Dan’s win reassures EU and NATO leaders concerned about instability on the alliance’s southeastern flank amid the war in Ukraine.
• Voter turnout surged to 65% in the run-off, reflecting heightened civic engagement following the annulment of the December 2024 election.
• Simion’s campaign faltered due to public gaffes, including admitting key promises were “marketing” and proposing destabilizing policies.
• President-elect Dan is negotiating a ‘super-grand coalition’ of pro-Western forces, led by interim president Ilie Bolojan, to govern a divided parliament.