Romania’s presidential runoff election on Sunday could mark a significant departure from the European mainstream, with a hard-right Eurosceptic frontrunner poised to challenge the country’s traditional pro-EU stance.
George Simion, a nationalist politician and former football ultra, secured a commanding lead in the first round of voting on May 4. He now faces liberal candidate and Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan in a second round that has deeply divided the electorate.
Simion’s campaign has focused on sovereignty and nationalism, echoing the rhetoric of U.S. right-wing populists. “This is a decision for Romanians, by Romanians, for Romania,” he said after casting his vote.
Dan, by contrast, positioned himself as a staunch advocate of Romania’s place in the EU and NATO. “I am voting for collaboration with our European partners, not for Romania’s isolation,” he told reporters.
Polling suggests a tight race.
In Teleorman, one of Romania’s poorest regions, Simion won 57% of the vote in the first round. Despite the absence of campaign materials on local streets, political debate is active—especially online.
“A vote for Simion is an anti-system, anti-establishment statement,” said Felicia Alexandru, an analyst at Aperio Intelligence. “Frustration with endemic corruption and political stagnation is driving many to reject the traditional parties.”
The sentiment is not limited to disaffected voters. Business owner Petre Filip, who expanded his dairy company with €1.5 million in EU funding, said he may not vote at all. “Simion is too impulsive—he’s ruled by emotion, not logic,” Filip said.
Yet some of his employees express support. “Simion is on the side of Romanians,” said Mihaela, who works on the cheese production line. “He wants jobs and better lives.”
Simion has criticized Brussels and pledged to prioritize Romanian interests. While he has condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin over Ukraine, Simion has also vowed to halt military aid to Kyiv, raising concerns about regional security and Romania’s role in facilitating Ukrainian grain exports.
Simion has been banned from entering Ukraine and Moldova over his past comments suggesting parts of those countries should be annexed by Romania.
His rhetoric has also raised eyebrows in Brussels. This week, Simion insulted French President Emmanuel Macron and referred to his opponent Dan as “autistic.”
The business community has taken note. Roxana, who runs a factory producing military uniforms for EU partners, said clients are asking whether Romania could elect a “pro-Russian” president.
“I like how Nicusor Dan ran Bucharest,” she said. “Simion’s behavior is shameful—it gives Romania a terrible image in Europe.”
Dan, a former mathematics Olympiad winner with a doctorate from the Sorbonne, has run on a platform of “honesty,” promising realistic governance rather than grand promises.
Much of Simion’s support comes from voters who backed fringe candidate Calin Georgescu in last year’s annulled election. Georgescu was blocked from taking office after allegations of Russian interference. Simion has promised to appoint Georgescu as prime minister if elected—a move that could raise further alarms in Brussels.
“Chaos will follow if Simion wins,” Roxana said. “Not just politically, but economically too.”
“What’s unclear,” Alexandru added, “is whether Simion’s radical tone is just campaign strategy—or his true agenda.”