Romania’s 2025 Presidential Election: A Pro-European Triumph Amid Political Turmoil

Romania’s 2025 presidential election, held in two rounds on May 4 and May 18, was a pivotal moment for the country, a NATO and EU member state bordering Ukraine. The election, a redo of a 2024 vote annulled due to alleged Russian interference, pitted pro-European centrist Nicușor Dan against ultranationalist George Simion. With high stakes for Romania’s geopolitical alignment, the election saw record turnout and a dramatic comeback for Dan, who secured a decisive victory. This article dives into the election’s context, candidates, results, and implications, highlighting the remarkable 155% vote increase for the pro-European candidate.

Background: A Nation at a Crossroads

Romania’s 2025 election was shaped by political instability and geopolitical tensions. In December 2024, the original presidential election was annulled by the Constitutional Court after evidence emerged of Russian meddling favoring far-right candidate Călin Georgescu. Georgescu, who won the first round in 2024, was barred from the 2025 rerun due to criminal investigations, plunging Romania into its worst political crisis in decades. The annulment sparked protests, with some Romanians decrying it as undemocratic, while others feared a drift toward Russia-friendly populism.

The election redo was set for May 2025, with the first round on May 4 and a runoff on May 18. Romania, a key NATO ally hosting U.S. missile defenses and aiding Ukraine’s war effort, faced a choice between maintaining its pro-Western trajectory or embracing euroskeptic nationalism. Economic challenges, including a 7.5% GDP deficit and stalled EU-driven growth, fueled anti-establishment sentiment, setting the stage for a polarized campaign.

The Candidates: Contrasting Visions

Nicușor Dan: The Pro-European Reformer

Nicușor Dan, 55, is an independent centrist and Bucharest’s mayor since 2020. A former mathematician with an academic demeanor, Dan founded the reformist Save Romania Union (USR) party in 2016 but left over disagreements on social issues. Running on an anti-corruption and pro-EU platform, he vowed to strengthen Romania’s NATO ties, support Ukraine, and reform the economy. His softly spoken style contrasted sharply with his opponent’s bombast, earning him support from urban voters and pro-Western parties.

George Simion: The Ultranationalist Firebrand

George Simion, 38, leads the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), which began as an anti-vax movement. A self-professed admirer of Donald Trump, Simion campaigned on a “Romania First” agenda, opposing EU policies and military aid to Ukraine. Banned from Ukraine and Moldova for advocating territorial claims, he sought to reform the EU into a looser alliance of sovereign nations. Simion capitalized on the anti-establishment wave, aligning with Georgescu, whom he called his “protégé” and floated as a potential prime minister.

Election Results: A Dramatic Turnaround

First Round (May 4, 2025)

The first round saw 11 candidates compete, with Simion dominating:

• George Simion (AUR): 40.96% (approximately 3.92 million votes)
• Nicușor Dan (Independent): 20.99% (approximately 2.01 million votes)
• Crin Antonescu (PSD/PNL/UDMR coalition): 20.07%
• Others, including Victor Ponta and Elena Lasconi, trailed significantly.

Turnout was 53.2% (9.57 million voters), with Simion sweeping rural areas and the diaspora (61% abroad, including 77% in Italy and 80% in Spain). Dan secured urban strongholds like Cluj and Bucharest. The result shocked the establishment, as no mainstream party candidate advanced, reflecting widespread distrust in traditional politics. Simion’s lead prompted Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu’s resignation, triggering market instability.

Second Round (May 18, 2025)

The runoff was a high-stakes clash, with polls showing a tightening race. Dan’s campaign gained momentum after a strong debate performance on Euronews Romania, where he outshone Simion. Record turnout of 65% (11.5 million voters), the highest since 1996, underscored the election’s significance. Final results were:

• Nicușor Dan: 53.60% (approximately 6.16 million votes)
• George Simion: 46.40% (approximately 5.34 million votes)

Dan’s vote share surged by 155% from the first round (from 2.01 million to 6.16 million), driven by urban and diaspora mobilization. Simion, despite retaining strong diaspora support (68.5% in Spain, 66.8% in Italy), couldn’t overcome the pro-European backlash. Initially claiming victory and alleging fraud, Simion conceded late Sunday, vowing to continue his “sovereigntist” fight.

The 155% Pro-European Surge: What Drove It?

Dan’s remarkable vote increase stemmed from several factors:

1. Mobilization Against Nationalism: Fears of Romania aligning with euroskeptic states like Hungary or Slovakia galvanized pro-EU voters. Dan framed the runoff as a battle for Romania’s Western future, resonating with urban and younger voters.
2. High Turnout: The 65% turnout, up 12% from the first round, favored Dan, as analysts predicted higher participation would boost the centrist. Urban and diaspora voters, wary of Simion’s rhetoric, turned out in droves.
3. Coalition Support: Dan secured endorsements from pro-Western parties (USR, PNL, UDMR), though the Social Democrats abstained. This broadened his appeal among moderates.
4. Debate Performance: Dan’s calm, policy-focused debate style contrasted with Simion’s aggressive nationalism, swaying undecided voters.
5. Diaspora Dynamics: While Simion led the diaspora in the first round, Dan gained ground abroad in the runoff, narrowing the gap (55% to 45% among diaspora votes).

Implications: Romania’s Path Forward

Dan’s victory was a relief for the EU, NATO, and Ukraine. European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, Ursula von der Leyen, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, congratulated Dan, praising Romania’s commitment to a “prosperous, open” Europe. Zelenskyy called it a “historic” win, emphasizing Romania’s role as a reliable partner.

Domestic Challenges

Dan faces a fractured political landscape. He plans to form a coalition with four pro-Western parties (PSD, PNL, USR, UDMR), but talks may take weeks. Economic reforms are urgent, with Romania’s deficit and credit rating at risk. Dan’s anti-corruption pledge will test his ability to navigate entrenched interests.

Geopolitical Significance

The election reaffirmed Romania’s pro-Western orientation, calming fears of a shift toward Russia-friendly policies. Romania will continue supporting Ukraine, including grain exports and NATO operations. However, Simion’s 46.4% vote share signals a strong nationalist undercurrent, which could fuel future populist surges.

Diaspora’s Role

The Romanian diaspora, numbering 4 million, played a complex role. Simion’s first-round dominance abroad reflected economic frustrations, but Dan’s runoff gains showed pro-European sentiment among expatriates. The diaspora’s influence underscores Romania’s globalized electorate.

Allegations of Interference

The election wasn’t without controversy. Romania’s government flagged “hallmarks of Russian interference” via social media disinformation. Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, claimed France pressured him to silence Romanian conservative voices, a charge Romania denied. Simion’s fraud allegations gained little traction, with Romania’s electoral reforms post-2024 ensuring transparency.

Conclusion: A Victory for Unity

Nicușor Dan’s triumph, marked by a 155% vote surge, was a testament to Romania’s resilience. Facing economic woes, political scandals, and external meddling, Romanians chose a pro-European future over divisive nationalism. As Dan told supporters, “This is your victory—a community of Romanians who want profound change.” The road ahead is challenging, but Romania’s commitment to democracy and the West shines through.

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Sources:

• POLITICO: “Romanian election results: Moderate Nicușor Dan wins clear majority against ultranationalist George Simion” (May 19, 2025)
• CNN: “Romanian election results: Pro-EU Nicușor Dan beats ultranationalist rival George Simion” (May 19, 2025)
• Reuters: “Romanian hard-right leader George Simion wins first round of election rerun” (May 5, 2025)
• The New York Times: “Nicusor Dan Beats George Simion in Romania’s Presidential Election” (May 19, 2025)
• The Washington Post: “Centrist Dan defeats nationalist Simion in Romania presidential election” (May 19, 2025)
• Euronews: “Romania’s pro-West candidate Nicușor Dan wins presidential election in dramatic comeback” (May 18, 2025)
• Al Jazeera: “Pro-EU Nicusor Dan defeats hard-right rival in key Romania election” (May 19, 2025)
• BBC: “Romanian liberal mayor Nicusor Dan wins tense race for presidency” (May 19, 2025)
• The Guardian: “Europe elections: European leaders congratulate Bucharest mayor Nicuşor Dan” (May 19, 2025)
• Wikipedia: “2025 Romanian presidential election” (May 19, 2025)