Overview

• Romania will hold the first round of its presidential election on May 4, nearly six months after the annulment of the November 2024 vote due to suspected Russian meddling.
• George Simion, an ultranationalist candidate advocating for Moldova's integration into Romania, leads a field of eleven contenders, with a runoff expected on May 18 if no candidate secures a majority.
• The disqualification of November's surprise winner, Calin Georgescu, over allegations of illegal campaign financing and fascist leanings, remains a contentious issue.
• Simion's nationalist agenda and ties to Donald Trump have raised concerns about potential shifts in Romania’s NATO and EU alignment amid its critical geopolitical position near Ukraine and the Black Sea.
• Romania’s prolonged political crisis has eroded public trust in its institutions, with the election seen as a test of the country’s democratic resilience and future direction.