George Simion Wins First Round of Romanian Elections
Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) party leader George Simion is displayed delivering a speech on a screen at the AUR party headquarters in Bucharest, Romania, 04 May 2025. Photo: EFE/EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT
May 4, 2025 Hour: 6:02 pm
George Simion won a resounding victory with 40% of the votes in the controversial second round of presidential elections in Romania this Sunday and thus becomes a clear favourite to win the presidency of the state in two weeks, with 98% of the ballots counted.
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Behind the leader of the Euro-critical and nationalist party AUR, the second place is contested, and with it the move to the decisive second round on 18 May, ruling coalition’s Crin Antonescu and the independent Nicusor Dan, current mayor of Bucharest.
Shortly after the vote count, Antonescu, a candidate from the ruling coalition of social democrats, liberals and the Hungarian minority, gets 20.6% while Dan adds 20.7%.
However, these data still do not include the vote of the Romanian diaspora, which keeps the race for second place open, which means the pass to the decisive lap.
The Constitutional Court decided last December to annul the electoral process started on November 24, 2024 because it detected a strong external interference from Russia in social networks in favor of the then winner Calin Georgescu.
Following the disqualification of Georgescu by the Judiciary from participating in the reelection, Simion declared himself “political heir” of Georgescu.
The 38-year-old Romanian politician presents himself as a defender of traditional values and Romanian identity, using nationalist, religious and populist rhetoric that resonates especially among young, rural and less educated voters.
Its agenda includes economic protectionism, unification with Moldova and suspension of military aid to Ukraine, seeking a truce in the conflict with Russia. Simion posits himself as the political successor of a pro-Russian ultranationalist, hinting at possible links and external financing of his campaign.
AUR leader, from a humble family, admires Donald Trump by imitating his style, rhetoric and political strategy, including using slogans like “Romania First”. Simion, with a background in business administration, has been a polarizing figure in Romanian politics for more than a decade.
Simion founded ‘Action 2012’, a platform that promotes the union of Romania and Moldova, leading various demonstrations in both countries.