BUCHAREST (Reuters) -- Hard-right euroskeptic George Simion won the first round of Romania’s presidential election re-run on Sunday, final results showed, after a ballot seen as a test of the rise of Donald Trump-style nationalism in the European Union.
Ballots from 100% of voting stations, early Monday, showed Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, 55, was in second place at around 21%, behind Simion’s 41%. They will meet in a runoff on May 18.
A Simion victory could isolate Romania, erode private investment and destabilize NATO’s eastern flank, where Ukraine is fighting a three-year-old war with Russia, political observers say.
It would also expand a cohort of euroskeptic leaders in the EU that already includes the Hungarian and Slovak prime ministers at a time when Europe is struggling to formulate its response to Trump.
Simion secured victory in 36 out of Romania’s 47 electoral districts, showcasing strong domestic support.
He also captured 61% of the diaspora vote while Dan managed 25% despite securing wins in 68 out of 94 countries where votes were cast. Ballots from one overseas station were still being awaited but would have no bearing on the overall outcome.
Simion’s international performance was bolstered by robust backing from Romanians in Western Europe, Nordic countries, several Middle Eastern nations, as well as Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
Benefiting from a wave of popular anger against mainstream leaders, Simion opposes military aid to neighboring Ukraine, is critical of the EU leadership and says he is aligned with the U.S. president’s Make America Great Again movement.
“We are a Trumpist party which will govern Romania and which will make Romania a strong partner in NATO and a strong ally of the United States,” Simion told foreign media shortly before polling stations closed.
Dan, an independent running on an anti-corruption platform, overtook former senator Crin Antonescu, 65, a centrist candidate backed by the three parties in the pro-western coalition government for his spot in the runoff.
After confirming his runner-up status, Dan expressed gratitude to his supporters — especially those in Moldova, where his camp secured over 50% — and outlined his challenge against an isolationist candidate.
Observers said he would struggle to beat Simion in the runoff more than Antonescu due to rivalries between him and mainstream parties that make it harder for voters to switch. Many in the ruling Social Democrat and Liberal parties shared more beliefs with Simion than Dan, they said.