Romanian Nationalist George Simion Dominates Presidential Election First Round

In an unexpected turn of events, Romanian presidential candidate George Simion emerged victorious in the first round of voting on May 4, 2025, challenging the pattern of global voter backlash against Trump-aligned candidates.

Simion, who champions the slogan "Make Romania Great Again," garnered over 40 percent of the votes cast, surpassing his 10 rivals, with results from abroad indicating similar support. This puts him firmly in the lead for the upcoming runoff scheduled for May 18 against Bucharest's centrist mayor, Nicusor Dan. Unlike the recent election trends seen in Canada and Australia where voters have dismissed Trump-friendly candidates, Romanian voters have rallied behind Simion, appreciating his alignment with the MAGA movement.

The election’s outcome also reflects public sentiment against a prior controversial annulment by Romania's Constitutional Court regarding ultranationalist Calin Georgescu's previous victory. Georgescu, convicted of campaign-related crimes, was barred from competing in the new round but cast his vote alongside Simion, both positioning themselves as defenders of the populace from a corrupt political system. This election cycle has underscored a complex landscape for populist movements in Eastern Europe, setting the stage for a potentially contentious runoff in just two weeks.