Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent to southern Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launched a raid on the Ksar Zaatar neighborhood in western Nabatieh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The tower destroyed by the Israeli occupation in Gaza includes media offices, including Al Mayadeen's bureau.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Four fetuses and three premature babies died at Nasser Medical Complex due to malnutrition
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7

Nationalist Simion leads 1st round of Romania's presidential election

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 5 May 2025 10:33
4 Min Read

Simion's victory signals a possible shift in the country's EU and NATO alignment.

Listen
  • x
  • Romania
    Leader of nationalist sovereign party "Alliance for the Union of Romanians" AUR George Simion (L) and former candidate Calin Georgescu address journalists after casting their ballot during the first round of the presidential election in Mogosoaia on May 4, 2025. (AFP)

George Simion, a nationalist figure and vocal ally of US President Donald Trump, surged ahead in the first round of Romania’s presidential election on Sunday, capturing 40% of the vote, according to official electoral data with 99% of ballots counted.

The 38-year-old leader of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) outpaced all ten other contenders in a closely watched rerun of the presidential vote. Far behind were Bucharest’s pro-EU mayor, Nicusor Dan, with 20.9%, and the governing coalition’s joint candidate, Crin Antonescu, at 20.3%.

The Romanian presidential runoff, scheduled for May 18, will now pit Simion against Dan in a contest that could redefine the country's future direction.

Fallout from annulled vote fuels far-right momentum

The rerun follows a dramatic annulment of the November 24, 2024, election by Romania’s top court amid allegations of foreign interference and manipulation through social media. That vote had propelled far-right outsider Calin Georgescu to the front, but he was subsequently barred over claims of Russian support and a TikTok-driven campaign, which Moscow has denied.

Simion, who succeeded Georgescu as AUR’s candidate, has ridden a wave of public outrage over the annulment. Celebrating his first-round success, he told cheering supporters, “Together we made history today,” adding, “I have a single objective: to give back to the Romanian people what was taken from them.”

From TikTok campaigns to Trump caps: Simion’s MAGA-style strategy

Related News

Simion seeks annulment of Romania’s election over fraud allegations

Telegram’s Durov says France sought to censor Romanian conservatives

Known for his online-heavy campaign style, Simion has attracted both younger voters and Romania’s influential diaspora. He frequently appears in a “Make America Great Again” cap and has openly declared his ambition to become Romania’s “MAGA president".

“We are here with a single mission: to return to democracy – and bring justice to Romania,” Simion said after casting his ballot, joined by Georgescu, whom he pledged to appoint in his future administration.

Simion portrays himself as more moderate than Georgescu but shares his deep skepticism of what he calls “Brussels’ unelected bureaucrats.” He has vowed to reduce Romania’s support for Ukrainian refugees and opposes sending military aid to Ukraine, though he often criticizes Russia rhetorically.

Romania at crossroads ahead of May 18 runoff

With its geopolitical ties and democratic trajectory on the line, the second round of Romania’s presidential election will determine whether the country leans further into euroscepticism or maintains its alignment with the European Union and NATO.

Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan, who ran on a pro-Western, anti-corruption platform, acknowledged the uphill battle he faces, saying, “It’s our task to convince Romanians that Romania needs the pro-Western direction and our campaign will be focused on that in the next two weeks.”

Analysts warn that Dan’s lack of rural support and strained ties with mainstream parties may hinder his chances. However, his independent profile may help him avoid the anti-establishment backlash that has fueled Simion’s rise.

Concerns mount as Simion challenges Romania’s foreign policy path

Simion’s ascension has raised alarms in European capitals. His victory in the first round comes as the EU grapples with growing influence from eurosceptic leaders, including the prime ministers of Hungary and Slovakia. A Simion presidency could alter Romania’s traditionally pro-EU and pro-NATO stance, potentially aligning more closely with Trump-era foreign policy positions.

Oana Popescu, director of the GlobalFocus Centre, remarked that Romania now stands “at a crossroads.” She warned that a Simion victory could see Romania adopt "a much more ambiguous foreign policy that is more amenable to pressure from the Trump administration, which very much matches the interests of the Kremlin.”

Simion's rise, analysts say, could also destabilize NATO’s eastern flank and chill foreign investment.

In response to concerns surrounding the previous election, the United States sent observers to monitor Sunday’s vote. Authorities in Romania said they had intensified cooperation with TikTok and implemented preventive measures to ensure “fair and transparent” elections.

Read more: Romania top court justifies ban on Georgescu presidential run

  • romania
  • Calin Georgescu
  • George Simion
  • Nicusor Dan

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

American far-right activist Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
President Nicolas Maduro gestures to supporters during the inauguration of a monument in China's honor on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, September 3, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Maduro warns of threats, urges 'battle for truth' to defend Venezuela

Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas' political leadership in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Politics

Netanyahu informed Trump before deadly attack in Doha: Reports

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hold a joint press conference at the Prime Minister's Office, during Rubio's visit, in occupied al-Quds, occupied Palestine, Monday, September 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu warns of Israeli isolation, calls to boost self-reliance

Spain axes €700Mln arms deals with 'Israel' over Gaza genocide
Politics

Spain axes €700Mln arms deals with 'Israel' over Gaza genocide

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS