Nicușor Dan, Romania’s centrist Bucharest mayor, has won the country’s presidential election, in a shock defeat of a hard-right rival inspired by Donald Trump’s politics.
Official results from nearly all voting stations showed Dan, a soft-spoken mathematician, garnering about 54 per cent of ballots.
Dan’s rival, George Simion, a eurosceptic wanting to end military aid for Ukraine, took 46 per cent of votes. He conceded after earlier saying he won the election.
Simion was the top vote-getter in the first round of the election two weeks ago with 41% of ballots cast, but Dan made a last-minute dash to the top in recent days.
The 55-year-old campaigned on a pledge to fight rampant corruption, to maintain support for Ukraine – where Romania has played an important logistic role – and to keep the country within the European mainstream.
Dan’s supporters in Bucharest chanted “Russia, don’t forget, Romania isn’t yours” as results came in on Sunday night.
Supporters of Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan cheer (Photo: Daniel Mihailescu/AFP)Staunchly pro-EU and Nato, Dan said in the run-up to the election that Romania’s support for Ukraine was crucial for its own security against a growing Russian threat.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Dan on his “historic victory.”
In a post on social media he wrote: “For Ukraine – as a neighbour and friend – it is important to have Romania as a reliable partner.”
The voting in Romania took place on the same day as the first round of a Polish election in which a liberal frontrunner, Rafal Trzaskowski edged ahead of Karol Nawrocki, the candidate backed by the opposition nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party.
Both elections are being closely watched across Europe amid concern that popular anger with mainstream elites over migration and cost of living pressures could bolster support for Trump and erode unity on the continent over how to deal with Russia.
In Romania, however, the election showed backlash against politicians taking inspiration from right-wing populist Trump’s MAGA movement, according to Mujtaba Rahman, managing director for Europe at consultancy Eurasia Group.
“This is a really strong result for the pro-European candidate,” Rahman said.
“It’s another example of the positive Trump effect on European election cycles where concerns about the political and policy direction moving in a MAGA-like way have mobilised voters.”
Political analysts had said victory for Simion would have risked isolating Romania abroad, eroding private investment and destabilising Nato’s eastern flank.
It also would have meant that Hungary’s leader Viktor Orban, a long-time Trump ally, and Slovakia’s Robert Fico – who both oppose military aid for Ukraine – would gain a new ally in the European Council in decisions on aid for Ukraine, energy, sanctions against Russia or the EU’s budget.
With agencies
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Centrist Dan defeats pro-Trump rival in Romanian presidential election )
Also on site :
- Stars From Bravo’s 'The Real Housewives' Franchise Set to Appear on 'Celebrity Family Feud' This Summer
- Who Won ‘American Idol’ 2025 Tonight?
- Prostate Cancer Survivor Al Roker Sends Clear Message to Joe Biden Amid Diagnosis