Pro-EU Nicusor Dan wins Romanian presidential election, nationalist George Simion loses

BUCHAREST: Hundreds of Romanians took to the streets to celebrate the victory of Nicusor Dan, the centrist mayor of Bucharest, over the nationalist George Simion in a new round of the Romanian presidential election, a vote considered crucial for the direction of this country, a member of the European Union and NATO.

The race pitted front-runner George Simion, the 38-year-old leader of the hard-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, or AUR, against Dan, the incumbent mayor of Bucharest. It was held months after the cancelation of the previous election plunged Romania into its worst political crisis in decades. Simon had modeled his campaign after US President Donald Trump.

Dan’s victory marked a major turnaround in a tense election that many viewed as a geopolitical choice for the former Eastern Bloc country between East or West. The nationalist Simion, who initially refused to admit defeat, finally congratulated his pro-European rival Nicusor Dan on Sunday night.

Dan, who has campaigned for an “honest” Romania, gained 54 per cent of the vote, while US President Donald Trump admirer Simion secured 46 per cent, according to near complete results.

In an interview with foreign media hours after his election victory, Romania’s President-elect, Nicusor Dan, asserts that his country will continue to support neighboring Ukraine in its war against Russia.

NICUSOR DAN: MATH PRODIGY, GRAFT FIGHTER

Pro-EU Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan campaigned on a slogan of change, saying he wants to “rebuild” the eastern European country.

The former math prodigy gained 54 per cent compared to 46 per cent by nationalist George Simion, who had topped the May 4 first round of voting in the EU and NATO member bordering war-torn Ukraine.

Dan, who was an activist fighting illegal urban development before becoming mayor, told jubilant supporters gathered in a Bucharest park that Romania’s “reconstruction” would begin on Monday, calling it “a moment of hope”.

“In today’s elections a community of Romanians who want a profound change in Romania won,” the 55-year-old said.

One of the EU’s poorest members with a wide wealth disparity, Romania has been ruled by the same class of politicians since the end of Communism in 1989.

In his presidential campaign for the top post, which holds significant sway in foreign policy, Dan has voiced support for Ukraine and vowed to keep Romania on its “pro-Western” path, urging voters to reject Simion’s “isolationist” approach.

‘SHOCK’ VOTE ANNULMENT

Dan has said his decision to run in the race followed the shock annulment of last year’s elections.

Romania’s constitutional court scrapped the vote after allegations of Russian interference – which Moscow has denied – and a massive social media promotion in favour of the far-right frontrunner, since barred.

The political turmoil has deepened divisions in the country, which Dan hopes to heal.

Born and raised in Brasov county in Transylvania in central Romania, as a teenager he won several international math competitions and went on to study math at the University of Bucharest.

He then moved to France to continue his studies and got his PhD in Paris, before returning to Romania to help bring change and fight endemic graft.

With the country ranked as one of the EU’s most corrupt by Transparency International, he became an activist battling illegal urban development.

He then turned to politics, a career his daughter has said leaves him little time though she supports him, the father-of-two told AFP.

Running for Bucharest mayor several times, Dan was eventually elected in 2020 and then re-elected for a second term in 2024.

He ran as an independent after leaving the party he founded, the Save Romania Union (USR), arguing the party should stay focused on the fight against corruption instead of civil liberties, including LGBTQ rights.

Since first being elected mayor, Dan has prided himself on having modernised the capital’s heating system and its sports facilities, while succeeding in pulling the city out of bankruptcy.

RESERVED NATURE

Dan is known for carefully weighing his words and for his reserved nature. He has been criticised for lacking decisiveness and for poor communication skills.

But in the fight against Simion, a football hooligan in his youth known for his sometimes violent outbursts, Dan’s reserved nature may have been an asset, according to analysts.

“He is more the managerial, administrative type but he is a very decent, honest guy,” political analyst Sorin Cucerai told AFP.

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