Romanians Abroad Start Decisive Presidential Runoff Vote

Romania is approaching a highly polarized presidential runoff between independent candidate and Bucharest mayor Nicușor Dan and far-right AUR leader George Simion. Prominent Romanians abroad, including actor Sebastian Stan and swimmer David Popovici, have publicly urged citizens to vote, with Stan endorsing Dan and Popovici emphasizing the importance of political engagement for Romania's future. This election follows the annulment of the 2024 presidential vote due to irregularities, intensifying political tensions. The diaspora vote, critical in this election, is spread over three days with increased polling stations worldwide, reflecting the significance of overseas Romanians, who have shown voting patterns similar to Turkish diaspora voters, highlighting political divisions between those living in Europe and North America. Simion, aligning with populist figures like Donald Trump and Viktor Orban, has strong support from nationalist constituents, while Dan, a centrist technocrat, appeals to more moderate voters. The election is seen as pivotal for Romania's domestic politics and its role within the EU and NATO amidst regional security concerns involving Ukraine and Russia.