Romania's Presidential Election Highlights Rising Far-Right Influence

Far-right candidate George Simion could advance to a runoff against Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu in a race shaped by economic discontent and nationalist rhetoric.

Romania is holding the first round of its presidential election, with a likely runoff scheduled for December 8 between the top two candidates.
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu of the Democratic Party leads in polls with 25%, followed by far-right candidate George Simion with 15-19%.
Simion, leader of the nationalist Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), opposes military aid to Ukraine and aligns himself with Donald Trump’s political ideology.
Economic challenges, including high inflation and poverty, have amplified voter dissatisfaction, boosting Simion’s outsider appeal.
The election coincides with upcoming parliamentary elections, where nationalist parties are also expected to make significant gains.