Romania is preparing for an important presidential election on May 4, 2025. The election will determine the country’s leadership for the next five years, with significant implications for both domestic policy and international relations. We’ll hope that voters can freely and fairly cast their ballots at one of the 18,979 polling places around the country. Polls will open at 7 AM local time (04:00 GMT) and close at 9 PM (18:00 GMT). If no one candidate gets more than half of the votes cast, we’ll conduct a run-off election. So save the date for May 18th!
With the upcoming electoral state at hand, candidates are all in increasingly strategic and delicate political waters. The general public is getting more and more dissatisfied with Romania’s aid for supporting Ukraine in the present war against Russia. Economic woes only exacerbate this discontent, as almost a third of Romanians subsist in poverty. And the upcoming election is viewed as a historic opportunity for forcing action on these urgent issues.
Key Candidates and Their Platforms
A familiar face, former minister Crin Antonescu, has become the principal alternative to a first Ponta mandate in the contentious presidential race. He has emphasized his extensive political experience throughout his campaign, aiming to reassure voters of his capability to lead during these tumultuous times. Antonescu’s platform recognizes the importance of continuing to support Ukraine—but not without providing a safety net for Romania’s vulnerable communities at home.
Another presidential hopeful, Nicusor Dan, is clearly trying to connect with those voters who feel Romania is heading in the wrong direction. Ideally he wants to make his name with breakthrough progressive policies that tackle inequality, climate change, mental health and create a new economic stability. Both candidates are indicative of a more centrist approach from their far-right fierce rival, George Simion.
George Simion rides point with the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR). This party has seen a huge surge in popularity over the past election cycles. AUR currently occupies 28 of the Senate’s 70 seats. With 61 seats out of 325 in the Chamber of Deputies, it has established itself as a powerhouse of the Romanian political landscape. With Simion’s pro-Moscow reputation comes suspicions from those pushing for more Western integration.
“In May 2015, Simion was declared ‘persona non grata’ by Moldova and barred from entering the country for five years on the grounds that he was ‘endangering national security’. This ban was renewed for a further five years in February 2024.” – Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters
Simion’s far-right stance and connections have prompted some voters to question whether his leadership would align with Romania’s national interests, particularly as tensions with neighboring countries remain high.
Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Voter Sentiment
Romania is going through a deep socioeconomic crisis that is changing voter perceptions in the run-up to elections. With approximately one-third of its population living in poverty, many citizens are looking for candidates who can address the issues that affect their daily lives. For almost 30 years, the status quo has failed to grow the country’s economy. Consequently, thousands of young Romanians are leaving the country in search of better employment opportunities overseas.
These significant economic hardships have ignited discussions centered on government accountability and corruption. Transparency International ranks Romania among the bottom four countries in Europe regarding corruption levels, which has fueled calls for reform and greater transparency in governance. To win back public trust, candidates need to address these top concerns directly as they campaign.
In recent months, Romania’s pro-European parties have worked together to form a new majority government. This decision is meant to reduce the power of far-right nationalists since the parliamentary elections of December 1 of last year. This new coalition is indicative of the deeper, general wish of many Romanians for stability and adherence to European norms and values.
The Role of Foreign Policy in the Election
Foreign policy is set to be a major issue in the election, especially with regards to Romania’s support for Ukraine against Russian invasion. More importantly, though, most voters are not convinced of the strategic importance of this support. They warned about its potential negative effects on Romania’s security. As such, candidates should be prepared to explain plainly how they intend to address such complicated geopolitical challenges.
The bilateral relationship between Romania and its eastern neighbor Ukraine remains particularly unstable. This instability largely flows from Russia’s offensive war and the impacts of this occupation on Eastern Europe. Candidates are expected to offer varying perspectives on maintaining national security while fostering diplomatic relations with both Western allies and neighboring countries.
As the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, tensions are rising between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Candidates will need to support Ukraine while speaking Pascal’s language and meeting the needs of Americans who are alienated by unconditional support for Ukraine. Candidates need to articulate a foreign policy that is clear, compelling and inclusive to win the argument. This will be important for ensuring broad public support.
