Romania’s right-wing and nationalist candidate who is against the military aid to Ukraine, has won the first round of the presidential election.
With 99.99% of votes counted on Monday, George Simion, 38, secured 40.96% of the vote, and will go into the runoff on 18 May. Nicușor Dan, the centrist mayor of Bucharest came second with just 20.99% of the vote and narrowly beating Crin Antonescu, a pro-European candidate backed by the ruling Social Democratic party (PSD) and the centre-right National Liberal party (PNL).
“This is not just an electoral victory, it is a victory of Romanian dignity. It is the victory of those who have not lost hope, of those who still believe in Romania, a free, respected, sovereign country,” Simion said after the results were announced.
Simion is an admirer of US President Donald Trump has called for “Melonisation” of Europe, referring to Italy’s right-wing prime minister.
Earlier on Monday, Simon stated that he believed in an EU “that thrives as a nest for its diverse and sovereign nations - not as a rigid system enforcing one-size-fits-all policies”. “I am here to serve Romanians, not the other way around,” he stressed.
The hardliner candidate is believed to be backed by voters who supported another right-wing candidate Calin Georgescu, whose victory in last year’s election was annulled over allegations of campaign fund and Russian interference.
