Pro-European candidate surprises and overcomes the far right rival in Romania

In the first round of the elections, on May 4, Simion led with almost 41% of the votes, double what the mayor of Bucarest was obtained.

However, many Romanians mobilized to change the trend in an election considered crucial to the country’s future European, neighboring Ukraine, five months after the exceptional annulment of an election on suspicions of Russian interference.

The participation was almost 65%, against only 53% in the first round.

“Participation was almost unprecedented, marked by the growth of defenders of democracy,” the political analyst Sergiu Miscoiu told AFP. “Never before was an election so decisive, with obvious geopolitical repercussions.”

European Commission Chairman Von Der Leyen greeted Romanians’ choice in favor of “strong Europe,” while French President Emmanuel Macron said “democracy” won “numerous attempts at manipulation.”

In neighboring Ukraine, Volodimir Zelensky celebrated the “historical” victory and stressed “the importance of counting on Romania as a reliable partner.”