Overview

• The runoff follows the annulment of last year’s election due to alleged Russian interference, leaving Romania in a deep political crisis.
• Far-right nationalist George Simion leads the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) party and has strong support from the diaspora, securing over 60% of their vote in the first round.
• Pro-Western reformist Nicusor Dan, the independent candidate and Bucharest Mayor, is running on a platform of EU alignment, fiscal reform, and support for Ukraine.
• Coordinated disinformation campaigns have targeted both candidates, amplifying divisions in an already polarized electorate.
• The election is seen as a choice between European democratic values and a nationalist vision, with turnout expected to play a decisive role in the outcome.