The ultra-right candidate, who replaced Georgescu after his controversial exclusion from the elections, obtains 41% of the preferences. The favorite of the radical right challenges the EU while the accusations of Russian interference return
The first round of the new presidential elections in Romania ended, an electoral round which, from the beginning, took place under the long shadow of international interference and tensions.
As many will remember, The last presidential elections had been sensationally canceled on December 2, 2024after the unexpected victory of Calin Georgescujust a few days before the ballot that should have given a new president to the country.
The first round of this re -edition went to George Simionbelonging to the ultra-right party for the Union of Romanians (Aur), who he got 40.9% of preferences, much above the initials exit poll released in the evening, which gave it to 33%. Defined as a critic of the European Union and NATO, Simion will challenge the ballot, scheduled for May 18, the mayor of Bucharest, Nicosur Danwhich with 20.9% of the preferences arrived in second place in the consultations of Sunday 4 May by beating for a few tens of thousands of votes George-Crin Antonescualso an independent candidate but supported by a coalition of center -right and center -left parties.
Simion’s first place is certainly linked to the personal proximity of the politician a Georgescualready winner of the first round held last year, canceled following a decision of the Romanian Constitutional Court. Cancellation that was justified by the Court citing a report of the internal secret services, according to which the election campaign carried out on Tiktok Da Calin Georgescu had been conducted in a little transparent way and spoiled by unspecified Russian interference.
The entire electoral affair is the direct sequel to the previous controversial presidents, canceled by the Constitutional Court after the victory of Georgescu, considered polluted by “Russian interference” through a massive social campaign on Tiktok. The EU and parties Filobruxelles – in particular those who supported Antonescu – immediately agitated the spectrum of the Russian hackers, reporting alleged computer attacks and putting their hands forward in the face of a possible success of the rights.
All canceled and consultations to be repeated on May 4th. According to all the surveys of the past months Georgescu was clearly the favorite candidate, widely exceeding 40% of the consents already in the first round. With an incredible decision, however, On March 9, the Romanian electoral commission prevented Georgescu from recoveringquoting alleged threats to democracy. Of course, two days later the definitive seal of the Constitutional Court arrived, which rejected the appeal presented by Georgescu and definitively prevented him from running to the presidential elections.
Here, therefore, that George Simion has run to continue to continue carrying out the Georgescu witness. It has been clear since the morning of Sunday 4 May, when Simion shows up at the polling station in the company of the former candidate And it announces: «I voted for Calin Georgescu. We are here with a single mission, the restoration of the constitutional order and the restoration of democracy ».
It is not the only one to think so in Romania, given the excellent result obtained in the first round. Now the eyes are on the decisive ballot of May 18. In the meantime, Simion Esulta: «An exceptional result! You are victorious, today the Romanian people spoke. It is time to be felt, despite the obstacles, despite the manipulations the Romanians have rebelled».
For the second round, nothing is still decided, if it is true that the challenger Nicusor Dan has obtained only 20.9% of the preferences, it is also true that he will be able to count on most of the votes that went to the aforementioned Antonescu and Victor Pontaindependent candidate former member of the Social Democratic Party.
Finally, the Bulgarian percentage with which Simion won the vote of the diaspora is very striking. 61% of Romanians residing abroad, in fact, voted for the Eur candidate. The decisions of the Constitutional Court seem to have gone particularly indigestible to the Romanian diaspora, including that in our country.
The climate is hot, Also because the vote occurred in a context of strong social discontent: protests of farmers for Ukrainian imports, economic crisis, accusations of corruption to traditional parties, and international tensions growing on the border with Ukraine. Brussels closed the door to these instances in the face, thus strengthening sovereign narrative.
Simion’s candidacy, perceived as the political heir of Georgescuhas collected acclaim in this scenario. His promise is clear: if he wins, he will appoint Georgescu Prime Minister and convene early elections. “This new vote is a fraud orchestrated by those who have made the only state policy,” said Georgescu. “But we are here to recognize the power of democracy, which frightens the system.”
In such a polarized political climate, international reactions have not been long in coming. Matteo Salvini commented on X: «In Romania the people finally voted, freely, with head and heart. With all due respect to the “gentlemen” of Brussels and their dirty tricks. Bravo George Simion! ». In Washington, the US administration follows carefully, especially after the recent moves against the AFD in Germany. For some analysts, you can breathe “air of tyranny in disguise” also in Europe.
The Romanian vote is therefore much more than a simple gearbox at the verticI: it is a thermometer of the uphotor clash between the new populist rights and the European establishment. And the ballot promises to be the next, crucial battlefield. Keorge Simion, leader of the ultra-right party for the Union of Romanians (Aur), conquered the first place with a surprising 40.9% of the votes, clearly exceeding the forecasts of the first exit polls who gave it stopped at 33%.
