Bucharest, May 19 — Liberal pro-European candidate Nicusor Dan has been elected President of Romania, defeating far-right nationalist George Simion in a closely watched run-off vote that followed months of political turbulence.
Dan, the softly spoken mayor of Bucharest, secured 53.6% of the vote in Sunday’s election, while Simion, the leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), conceded defeat early on Monday despite strong backing from the Romanian diaspora.
“We need to build Romania together irrespective of who you voted for,” Dan said after the results confirmed his win. “A community of Romanians who want a profound change in Romania won.” Roughly 11.5 million voters cast their ballots in the second-round run-off. Dan, a mathematician and anti-corruption advocate, campaigned on strengthening ties with the European Union and maintaining support for Ukraine.
Simion, who rose to prominence on a populist, nationalist platform, led in the first round earlier this month, capitalising on voter frustration following the annulment of last year’s presidential vote amid allegations of Russian interference — claims denied by Moscow.
Although Simion performed strongly among Romanians abroad — securing more than two-thirds of the vote in Spain, Italy and Germany — Dan’s support at home and in neighbouring Moldova, where 87% of voters backed him, proved decisive.
The campaign exposed deep divisions in Romanian society, with Dan supporters calling for an honest, pro-European Romania and Simion’s base voicing concerns over immigration, EU influence, and national identity. “I want to choose the pro-European way. It’s the only way,” said Mihai, a voter in Bucharest. “I was really worried about Simion.”
Simion had campaigned alongside Calin Georgescu, a controversial far-right figure whose own presidential win last year was invalidated. Georgescu was barred from running again. Simion rejected claims that he was acting on Georgescu’s behalf, accusing mainstream media of smearing him as a pro-Russian or fascist.
Though he initially claimed victory on Sunday, Simion conceded in a Facebook post early Monday. A protest reportedly planned by his supporters was called off.
International leaders welcomed Dan’s victory. Moldovan President Maia Sandu said Moldova and Romania would continue to work together for a “peaceful, democratic, and European future.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described Romania as a “reliable partner,” while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Romanians for choosing “the promise of an open, prosperous Romania in a strong Europe.”
Dan’s win marks a setback for nationalist forces in Romania, but analysts say Simion’s strong first-round showing and deep diaspora support suggest his message will continue to resonate with a significant segment of the electorate.
