Romanian nationalist and euroskeptic Simion on track to win presidential election

(Patria) - Partial results showed euroskeptic George Simion on track to win the first round of repeated presidential elections in Romania, held on Sunday, Reuters reported last night.

Ballots from 50% of polling stations showed former senator Crin Antonescu (65) in second place with 23%, behind Simion's 42%. In third place was Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan (55) with 16%. The two leading candidates will meet in a run-off on May 18.

Analysts say Simion's victory could isolate the country, hurt private investment and destabilize NATO's eastern flank, where Ukraine is fighting a Russian invasion.

"This is not just an electoral victory, it is a victory for Romanian dignity. It is a victory for those who have not lost hope, for those who still believe in Romania, a free, respected and sovereign country," Simion said.

Capitalizing on a wave of popular anger against the ruling elite, Simion (38) opposes military aid to neighboring Ukraine, is critical of the European Union leadership and says he is aligned with the movement of U.S. President "Make America Great Again" (MAGA).

Antonescu (65), who has been absent from politics for a decade, wants to continue Romania's significant role in supporting Ukraine and is well known to voters.

Sunday's vote was held five months after the first attempt to hold the election was canceled due to alleged Russian interference in favor of far-right frontrunner Calin Georgescu, who has since been barred from running again.

Simion voted alongside Georgescu, who called the election a "fraud" and urged people to take back their country. As dozens of people gathered outside the polling station chanting "Calin for president," Simion said his vote was "to restore democracy."

Eastern flank

Simion is not the only MAGA-style politician fighting for power in Central Europe. Karol Nawrocki, a presidential candidate backed by Poland's main nationalist opposition party in presidential elections on May 18, met with Trump this week. If elected, they would expand the group of euroskeptic leaders that already includes the prime ministers of Hungary and Slovakia.

"Romania and Poland are two important countries for the United States," Simion told Reuters on Friday.

"We represent partners and we represent allies, both militarily and politically, to the current (U.S.) administration. That's why it's important for MAGA presidents to be in power in Bucharest and Warsaw."

The Romanian president has a semi-executive role that includes commanding the armed forces and presiding over the security council that decides on military aid. The president can also veto important EU votes and appoints the prime minister, chief judges, prosecutors, and heads of secret services.

So far, Romania has donated a Patriot anti-aircraft defense battery to Kyiv, trained Ukrainian fighter jet pilots, and facilitated the export of 30 million metric tons of Ukrainian grain through its Black Sea port of Constanta since the Russian invasion.

The Trump administration accused Romania of suppressing political opposition and lacking democratic values after November's election was canceled based on what Vice President JD Vance called "weak evidence."