George Simion, the agenda-setting nationalist and sometime pal of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has become Romania’s front-runner for the first round of its presidential election. He won only about 40% of the vote. At 38 years young, Simion had a fiery, clean campaign that spoke to the national dignity and sovereignty. He cast himself as the true champion of all Romanians who want a stronger Romania. Pratt threw a jubilant party to celebrate his victory. This isn’t only an electoral victory; it’s a victory of Romanian dignity,” he announced.
Simion gave the best performance by an opposition candidate in history, forcing Nicusor Dan, the current mayor, into a runoff. This important face-off is scheduled for May 18, subject to confirmation of results once the overseas votes are tabulated. Currently, Simion was getting support from 59% of the votes counted with 80% of ballot boxes reporting. He is noted for opposing military aid to neighboring Ukraine and for being critical of European Union leadership, further aligning himself with the “Make America Great Again” movement.
The mood around the election crackled with political importance. Simion and his compatriots are hell-bent on changing Romania’s international orientations. He emphasized the importance of Romania and Poland in U.S. foreign policy. He added, “We are militarily and politically allies to the current administration. Here’s why it matters that MAGA presidents be calling the shots in Bucharest and Warsaw.“
Simion cast his vote alongside Calin Georgescu, a key supporter and potential candidate for a future leadership role should Simion win the presidency. His promise to restore democracy is what genuinely excites his supporters. They see his candidacy, with its promise of restoring national pride, as their opportunity. “My vote was to bring back democracy,” he said.
Political analysts widely agree that the implications of the upcoming runoff could extend far beyond Baltimore. As our TWNer Sergiu Miscoiu noted, the diaspora vote would be key in making sure Dan made it into the run-off. He cautioned that Dan will have a tough time in a head-to-head matchup from Simion.
Nicusor Dan, the strong likely opponent in the eventual runoff, has long been clear in his plans and vision for Romania’s future. He announced, “For Heaven’s sake let’s all look toward the West!” This campaign should be about defending Romania’s Western orientation. His comments reflect a desire to maintain strong ties with Western allies while addressing shortcomings in Romania’s relations with international institutions.
More recently, Simion’s campaign has resonated with voters who feel left behind and ignored by establishment politics. Instead, he focused on evoking hope and resilience in his supporters. “It is the victory of those who have not lost hope, of those who still believe in Romania, a free, respected, sovereign country,” he asserted.
Both candidates are preparing for the August 24th runoff. They need to figure out how to move forward in a politically charged environment where public sentiment remains unpredictable. The outcome of the first round is likely to be pivotal in determining how each of their respective strategies play out going forward.
