Romanian Presidential Runoff Set for May 18 After First Round Results

George Simion, a far-right nationalist opposing military aid to Ukraine and critical of EU leadership, has emerged as the frontrunner in Romania's presidential election rerun, securing about 41% of the vote in the first round and finishing first in most electoral districts and among the diaspora. His opponent, pro-EU Bucharest Mayor Nicuşor Dan, came in second with around 21%, advancing to a runoff scheduled for May 18. The election rerun was necessitated by the annulment of the previous vote due to alleged Russian interference and irregular campaigning, which saw another far-right candidate, Călin Georgescu, disqualified. Despite Simion's commanding lead, a significant portion of the electorate remains undecided, leaving room for a potential shift in the second round. Analysts attribute Simion's rise to public frustration over the annulled election and infighting among pro-European candidates. The outcome of the runoff will determine whether Romania continues on a pro-Western path or pivots toward a more nationalist, isolationist stance.