Romanians delivered a resounding anti-establishment message in the first round of the country’s presidential election rerun, propelling hard-right leader George Simion and Bucharest’s independent centrist mayor Nicusor Dan to a high-stakes runoff to be held on May 18.

The presidential elections in Romania on May 18 may mark the most important political change since the fall of communism in 1989, with two scenarios radically different: a thorough radical political reform of mainstream parties,

Romania’s 2025 presidential election has become a defining moment for its future in Europe, NATO, and the global economy. With the race tied, voters face a choice between pro-EU reform and rising nationalism.