In Romania, pro-European candidate wins presidency

Nicusor Dan, 55, won nearly 54% of the vote, after counting more than 90% of the ballots, a result hailed with jubilation at his headquarters in a park in the capital, compared to 46% for his nationalist rival George Simion.

Far from admitting defeat, this 38-year-old sovereignist and fervent admirer of Donald Trump, nevertheless proclaimed himself "the new president of Romania," denouncing "fraud."

He had largely dominated the first round on May 4 with nearly 41% of the vote, double that of the mayor of Bucharest.

But many Romanians have since mobilized to turn the tide in a vote presented as crucial for the European future of this country neighboring Ukraine, five months after the extremely rare cancellation of an election tainted by suspicions of Russian interference.

The turnout was nearly 65%, compared to only 53% in the first round.

"The mobilization was almost unprecedented, marked by a surge of support from defenders of democracy," political scientist Sergiu Miscoiu told AFP. "Never before has an election been so decisive, with such clear geopolitical implications."

Two visions at opposite ends of the spectrum

Because the head of state has the power to appoint people to key positions and to participate in European Union and NATO summits.

The presidential election was closely watched by the international community, with Brussels concerned about the growing ranks of far-right leaders and Washington, highly critical of last fall's election fiasco, calling for respect for the voice of the people.

A loyal member of the EU, Romania, a nation of 19 million people bordering Ukraine, has become a key pillar of the Atlantic Alliance since the start of the Russian offensive in 2022.

These are two visions that clashed at the ballot box.

Nicusor Dan, a brilliant mathematician who studied in France before becoming an anti-corruption activist, is a staunch European and a fervent supporter of Kyiv.

His reserved personality, which earned him criticism during the election campaign, contrasts with the fiery temperament of his rival George Simion, a former footballer who has sought to tone down his rhetoric in recent months.

This critic of the "absurd policies of the EU" wants an end to military aid to Ukraine: he demands "financial compensation" for the assistance provided so far and advocates "neutrality", while denying that he is "Vladimir Putin's friend".

"Georgescu president!"

"Against the injustices" and "humiliations of which our sisters and brothers have been victims": his message, repeated on Sunday when he voted in Mogosoaia, near the capital, won over many voters tired of being considered second-class citizens in the EU.

George Simion appeared again with Calin Georgescu, the man who surprised everyone by finishing first in the November 24 election after a massive TikTok campaign whose modus operandi pointed to Russia.

The former senior official has since been charged and barred from the new race, a decision that has sparked sometimes violent protests.

For months, the Romanian far right has been capitalizing on a population frustrated, particularly in rural areas, by the "thieving politicians" in power since 1989 and angry at the economic difficulties of one of the poorest countries in the EU.

"Hug Georgescu, President!" shouted the small crowd that came with flowers to welcome their fallen hero.

As people left the polling stations, many expressed hope that the current nightmare would end. "It's been such chaos in Romania" since the vote was canceled, said Runa Petringenaru, a 55-year-old seminar organizer. "This is unprecedented."

On Sunday, Romanian authorities denounced a "viral campaign of false information" via social networks aimed at "influencing the electoral process" and bearing "once again the hallmarks of Russian interference."

These statements came after a message from Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who accused France—without naming it—of attempting to interfere in the election. Paris strongly denied this.