Overview

• The first round of Romania's presidential election took place on May 4, 2025, under heightened security and international observation after the annulment of the November 2024 vote due to foreign interference concerns.
• George Simion, leader of the nationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), is polling at approximately 30%, positioning him as the frontrunner for the May 18 runoff.
• Authorities implemented stricter monitoring of digital platforms, particularly TikTok, to prevent disinformation campaigns similar to those linked to Russian interference last year.
• The diaspora vote, comprising an estimated 6.2 million Romanian citizens abroad, is expected to play a decisive role in determining the election outcome.
• Eleven candidates are competing in the election, with pro-European contenders Nicușor Dan and Crin Antonescu closely trailing Simion in the polls.