Pro-EU nominee secures Romanian presidential election rerun

(MENAFN) Pro-European Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan has emerged victorious over conservative rival George Simion in Romania’s presidential election rerun, according to nearly complete official results.

With over 99% of the votes counted from Sunday’s runoff, Dan secured 54% of the vote, while Simion, leader of the right-wing Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), garnered 46%.

In a post on X, Dan thanked his supporters for their "unprecedented mobilization," pledging to begin rebuilding Romania as a unified, law-abiding, and fair country.

Initially refusing to concede, Simion declared himself “the new president” on social media Sunday night. However, by Monday, he accepted the outcome, congratulated Dan in a video message, and vowed to continue his political fight, saying, “We may have lost a battle, but we will not lose the war.”

Maia Sandu, Moldova’s pro-EU president, congratulated Dan and emphasized the close ties between Moldova and Romania, highlighting a shared vision for democracy and European integration. About 30% of Moldovans also hold Romanian citizenship.

Simion’s party has alleged that Moldovan officials and media unfairly promoted Dan among voters in Moldova. Chisinau has denied the accusation.

This election rerun followed the annulment of the previous November vote by Romania’s Constitutional Court, after independent right-wing candidate Calin Georgescu led with 23%. Authorities cited campaign irregularities and alleged Russian interference, which Moscow has denied. Georgescu was subsequently barred from running again.

Simion strongly opposed the annulment, calling it a “coup d’état,” and had expressed intentions to name Georgescu as prime minister if elected. In the initial May 4 round, Simion received 41% of the vote, while Dan and former senator Crin Antonescu each took around 20%.

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