Overview

• Far-right candidate George Simion secured 41% of the vote in the May 4 presidential first round, advancing to the runoff against Bucharest mayor Nicușor Dan, who garnered 21%.
• Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu resigned following the election results, citing the ruling coalition's lack of legitimacy, with Interior Minister Cătălin Predoiu stepping in as interim leader.
• The annulment of the December 2024 election due to Russian-linked social media interference marked a rare EU precedent and has fueled public skepticism about electoral integrity.
• Simion’s nationalist platform, including proposals to annex Moldova and parts of Ukraine, threatens Romania's EU and NATO commitments, sparking international concern.
• Experts warn that a Simion presidency could realign Romania’s policies, enabling a nationalist government and reversing its pro-European and pro-Ukraine stance.