New Strategy Center publishes an analysis of the Romanian presidential elections, the first round of which took place on May 4.
George Simion, a sovereigntist candidate, won decisively with 40.96% and will face Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan (20.99%) in the May 18 runoff. The governing coalition’s candidate, Crin Antonescu, was narrowly eliminated with 20.07%. Simion’s result was boosted by an unprecedented mobilization of the diaspora and strong support from voters disillusioned with the political system, including the electorate of Călin Georgescu, the candidate whose victory in the annulled November election had sparked widespread outrage.
Simion’s campaign, marked by a rejection of debates and traditional media, anti-system sentiment, populist rhetoric, and public frustration with the government’s poor performance. His possible victory raises concerns about the country’s future relations with the EU, NATO, and neighboring states, with significant risks of internal instability and geopolitical realignment.
The analysis was written by George Scutaru, CEO, New Strategy Center.