Overview

• The May 4 election is a court-mandated rerun after the annulment of November’s first round due to illegal campaign financing and suspected Russian interference.
• Far-right frontrunner George Simion, leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), has vowed to halt military aid to Ukraine and challenge EU policies if elected.
• Simion’s main competitors include establishment-backed Crin Antonescu, centrist independent Nicușor Dan, former prime minister Victor Ponta, and USR’s Elena Lasconi.
• The election outcome carries significant implications for Romania’s alignment with the EU and NATO, particularly its stance on Ukraine and adherence to EU law.
• If no candidate secures a majority on May 4, the top two will advance to a runoff on May 18, with results expected to be finalized by May 9.