After months of political upheaval and a dramatic electoral showdown, liberal and pro-European mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan, has emerged victorious in Romania’s presidential runoff, defeating far-right challenger George Simion in a fiercely contested race that captured the nation’s deepening political divide.

Dan secured 54% of the vote, drawing support from over six million Romanians, in an election marked by high turnout and intense public engagement. His victory over Simion, the nationalist leader of the far-right AUR party, follows a turbulent period that included an annulled vote last year over alleged Russian interference.

In his victory speech, Dan said, “We need to build Romania together irrespective of who you voted for,” signaling a call for national unity. Supporters gathered outside City Hall in Bucharest erupted in celebration, chanting Dan’s name as he addressed them just after midnight.

“This is a win for a Romania that wants honest leadership, a European future, and a break from extremism,” Dan declared. “A community of Romanians who want profound change has won.”

Simion, who had made a surprising first-round win earlier this month, campaigned on a populist platform targeting the EU and aid to Ukraine. His alliance with Calin Georgescu, a far-right figure disqualified from rerunning after the previous vote annulment, alarmed many Romanians and triggered widespread debate over the country’s political direction.

Despite leading the diaspora vote with strong support in Spain, Italy, Germany, and the UK, Simion’s base was ultimately outweighed by Dan’s broader national and international appeal. In Moldova, a neighboring country with close ties to Romania, 87% of Romanian voters backed Dan.

International leaders rushed to congratulate the president-elect. Moldovan President Maia Sandu praised Dan’s victory as a reaffirmation of shared democratic values, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed Romania’s commitment to stability and partnership. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the result as a “massive turnout for a stronger Europe.”

The runoff comes amid a backdrop of public dissatisfaction with mainstream political parties and years of governance instability. Earlier this month, Romania’s government collapsed after its presidential candidate failed to reach the second round.

While Dan focused his campaign on anti-corruption, EU cooperation, and support for Ukraine, Simion’s aggressive rhetoric and claims of media bias, combined with lingering accusations of Russian sympathies, raised concerns across Europe. During the campaign, Simion repeatedly defended Georgescu and labeled himself “a man of the people.”

Though defeated, Simion’s performance underscores a growing populist sentiment, especially among Romanians abroad who feel disconnected from domestic politics. “Our children had to leave Romania to find work,” said Maria Grancea, a Simion supporter in London. “We want change.”

Chioma Kalu

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