Centrist candidate Nicusor Dan is Romania’s new president after seeing off ultranationalist George Simion in yesterday’s run-off vote.
EU centrist defeats MAGA nationalist
EU-aligned Dan, 55, who is mayor of Bucharest, posted on X shortly after his win: “I thank president Emmanuel Macron for the congratulatory call tonight.
“I assured President Macron that we will continue to be trusted partners within the European Union, and that in the coming days we will have substantive discussions on our common future and the security of the European Union.”
Market reaction
The markets reacted well to Dan’s win, with Wall Street bank JP Morgan adjusting its forecast to a “moderate” downgrade for Romania’s currency.
Opponents of Simion, who was the clear winner of the first round on May 4, feared his isolationist stance and sympathies for Russia could redefine not just the future of Romania but the whole eastern flank of NATO.
Defiant in defeat
Simion, defiant in defeat, posted on X: “We will continue our fight for freedom and our great values along with other patriots, sovereignists and conservatives all over the world. We may have lost a battle, but we will certainly not lose the war.”
Relief in Romania
Romania will be breathing a collective sigh of relief today not just at the result but because it has managed to stage a presidential election at all.
Yesterday’s vote comes five months after the first attempt, in November, was annulled by Romania’s top court. Judges ruled online interference by Russia, as well as illicit campaign funding, had given undue benefit to far-right frontrunner Calin Georgescu, who was banned from standing again.
Poland election
There is also a presidential election unfolding in Poland. Yesterday liberal Warsaw mayor Rafał Trzaskowski won the first round by a slim margin against right-wing rival Karol Nawrocki. The pair will face off in the second round on June 1.
Portugal election
Meanwhile Portugal staged its third general election in three years, with the centre-right Democratic Alliance winning most votes, and the far-right Chega party tying with the Socialist Party. Coalition jostling is now under way.
