George Simion Leads Romanian Presidential Election First Round

Far-right candidate George Simion is leading the first round of Romania's presidential election re-run, according to exit polls, with around 30% of the vote. This follows a scandal-ridden campaign that saw the previous election annulled due to Russian interference and illegal campaigning by another far-right pro-Russian candidate, Călin Georgescu, who was subsequently disqualified. Simion, who heads the ultranationalist Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), has attracted Georgescu’s former supporters and espouses nationalist, Eurosceptic, and pro-Putin positions. Analysts and experts warn that a Simion victory could push Romania towards political marginalization within the European Union, similar to Hungary, and risk destabilizing NATO’s eastern flank. Simion has downplayed the threat posed by Russia to NATO, instead suggesting that internal divisions within the alliance pose the greatest risk. The top two candidates will face a runoff in two weeks.