Simion leads Romania vote, eyes presidency in runoff

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George Simion, a fiery nationalist and vocal admirer of U.S. President Donald Trump, surged ahead in Romania’s presidential race on Sunday, winning the first round with a commanding 40% of the vote and setting the stage for a potentially transformative runoff that could redefine the country’s political and foreign policy future.

“Together we made history today,” Simion declared in a video message to jubilant supporters chanting, “Out with the thieves, let patriots come.” He added: “I am here to restore constitutional order. I have a single objective: to give back to the Romanian people what was taken from them.”

Simion, 38, leads the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) and has cast himself as Romania’s answer to Trump—often donning a red “Make America Great Again” cap and promising to become the country’s “MAGA president.” His first-round triumph follows the annulment of the previous election over claims of foreign interference, a decision that ignited public outrage and fueled his meteoric rise.

Trailing far behind were Bucharest’s pro-EU mayor Nicușor Dan with 20.9% and centrist candidate Crin Antonescu with 20.3%, with nearly all votes counted. A runoff is set for May 18 between Simion and Dan.

Simion’s populist campaign, waged largely online and bolstered by support from Romania’s sizable diaspora, has rallied voters against Brussels and elites. While distancing himself rhetorically from Moscow, he has opposed military aid to Ukraine and advocated cutting support for Ukrainian refugees—stances that challenge Romania’s current role in NATO.

“We are here with a single mission: to return to democracy – and bring justice to Romania,” Simion said Sunday, appearing alongside former candidate Calin Georgescu, who was barred from the last race over Russian influence allegations. Simion has pledged to appoint him to a future administration.

His rise signals a sharp political pivot in a country long seen as a pro-Western bulwark in Eastern Europe. Analysts warn that a Simion presidency could upend Romania’s foreign policy, isolate it within the EU, and weaken NATO’s eastern flank.

“This is a crossroads for Romania,” said Oana Popescu of the GlobalFocus Centre. “The alternative is a much more ambiguous foreign policy… amenable to pressure from the Trump administration, which very much matches the interests of the Kremlin.”

Meanwhile, Dan—framing the contest as a choice between East and West—vowed to rally support in the next two weeks: “It’s our task to convince Romanians that Romania needs the pro-Western direction.”

Simion, however, appears to hold the momentum—riding a wave of anti-establishment anger, nationalist sentiment, and disillusionment with the political mainstream. The coming runoff now represents not just a domestic decision, but one with significant international consequences.