site.btaRomania at a Crossroads Between Moscow, Washington, and Europe

For the first time in post-communist Romanian history, both candidates advancing to the presidential runoff originate from opposition ranks. Neither represents the country's largest political party - the Social Democratic Party (successor to the Communist Party) - nor the largest party in the center-right political spectrum—the National Liberal Party. These two major parties, which have governed Romania both separately and jointly over the years, are now perceived as part of a "system" that many wish to change.

Sovereigntist candidate George Simion, leader of the nationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), enters the second round with a convincing victory from May 4, securing nearly 41% of the vote (3,862,761 votes). 

His opponent in the May 18 runoff is pro-European Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, running as an independent, who received almost 21% (1,979,767 votes) two weeks ago. 

The difference between the two is exactly 1,882,994 votes.

Both candidates advocate for change in the "system," for a new government and prime minister, but the paths they propose for Romania are quite different.

Following are their positions on key issues. 

The "Georgescu" Factor

George Simion presents himself as a successor to Calin Georgescu - a far-right nationalist who won the first round of last year's presidential election, annulled due to suspected Russian interference, which Moscow denies. Simion entered the race after the Constitutional Court and the Central Electoral Bureau excluded Georgescu from the rerun.

Nicusor Dan, re-elected as Bucharest mayor last year, states that the annulment of the elections prompted him to run for president, as it demonstrated how easily Romania could drift from the European path "we have built with so much effort."

Relations with Washington

George Simion is a supporter of US President Donald Trump's MAGA movement. “We’re a young political party, closely aligned with the Republican Party in the United States and the MAGA movement. So it’s only natural that, following Donald Trump’s historic landslide victory, we’re seeing a similar outcome take shape in Romania. They annulled last year’s elections simply because they didn’t like the outcome. They failed to ensure a democratic and peaceful transfer of power. I’m here to restore the constitution, uphold democracy, and bring back the rule of law,” Simion said in an interview for The American Conservative.

Nicusor Dan supports Romania's strategic partnership with the US, strengthening transatlantic ties, and cooperation between the EU and the US. He believes the country should align with other NATO members regarding defense spending, proposing a gradual achievement of the goal of military spending up to 3.5% of GDP. He does not present himself as closely associated with specific circles in Washington.

Attitude Toward Russia

George Simion is perceived by many as pro-Russian, primarily due to his positions on the war in Ukraine, which almost entirely align with those of the Kremlin. Simion categorically denies Russian interference in last year's presidential elections in Romania.

In an interview with Romanian television Digi24, the Romania-born former US Ambassador to Bucharest Adrian Zuckerman, stated that while Simion wears a MAGA hat, he actually has an "affinity for Moscow."

In Romania, there are also suspicions that Simion has connections with Russia. He has been declared persona non grata in  Moldova since 2015, with the ban extended several times, and in Ukraine since 2023.

In 2023, former Moldovan Defence Minister Anatol Salaru stated that Simion was expelled in 2015 due to ties with Russian intelligence services. Simion rejects these claims and even filed a lawsuit against Salaru, which he lost at the first instance last month.

The US think tank Institute for the Study of War noted in an analysis that a potential victory for George Simion could advance Kremlin’s objectives in Ukraine.

“Simion has previously expressed opinions about Ukraine's and Moldova's territorial integrity that parallel Kremlin narratives. Simion's AUR party has previously called for the restoration of Romania ‘within its natural borders’, including by laying claim to areas in western Ukraine," the Institute stated in its analysis.

Before the European Parliament elections in June last year, George Simion posted on his Facebook page a map of Greater Romania, including territories from the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, and Bulgaria.

Nicusor Dan is adamant that in the war in Ukraine, the aggressor is Russia, and the security of Romania and Moldova "critically" depends on how the conflict ends. Dan has not been quoted with pro-Russian positions in the public domain.

Attitude Toward the EU

George Simion has repeatedly criticized the EU leadership's policies. In January, he was elected vice-president of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party (ECR). He is close to Italian Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the League party, Matteo Salvini, who was among the first to congratulate him on his first-round victory. Simion actively supports Karol Nawrocki, the candidate of the Law and Justice party, for President of Poland, and even went to Warsaw to participate in his rally.

"Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen are afraid of us - and they should be. They’re going to lose power, and they’ll lose it through the democratic process and the will of the people. […] It’s important to return to the people and ask for their vote. In the European Parliament, we have three key political groups: the European Conservatives and Reformists, Patriots for Europe, and Europe of Sovereign Nations. All three are gaining public support across the EU’s 27 member states.

Our political party is a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists. […] Giorgia Meloni’s party is also part of the ECR. I believe these groups and parties are our natural allies in Europe," Simion told The American Conservative.

According to diplomats and experts cited by Reuters, if Simion is elected president, Hungarian and Slovak Prime Ministers Viktor Orban and Robert Fico will gain a new ally in the EU on issues such as aid to Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, and other matters where disagreements with Budapest and Bratislava typically arise.

Simion says he shares many positions with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and promised that some of them would become "state policy in Romania."

In a pre-election debate, Simion called his opponent a "globalist puppet" supported by Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Nicusor Dan is perceived in the EU as a pro-European candidate and has received indirect support from some parties, including Renew Europe, the Party of European Socialists, and the Socialists and Democrats group in the European Parliament.

Ukraine

George Simion opposes military aid to Ukraine and advocates for Romania's neutrality. Simion says that the interest of the Romanian people is his priority and that he would not give "a single leu" for Ukraine because he does not want to "prioritize other countries."

Nicusor Dan believes that the security of Romania and the Republic of Moldova "critically" depends on how the war in Ukraine ends and supports the neighboring country "without discussion." Dan wants "the war in Ukraine, in which Russia is the aggressor, to end with a just peace that suits Ukraine, because otherwise, it opens the way to further tension in the region."

Rearming Europe

George Simion is opposed to arming  Europe, arguing that Romania can rely on NATO and its strategic partner, the United States, for security and defense.

Nicusor Dan supports Romania's participation in the EU’s rearmament program, believing that the EU must be able to take responsibility for its own security. At the same time, he acknowledges that the US remains Romania’s primary security guarantor.

Who should be Romania’s next PM

George Simion is prepared to propose Calin Georgescu as prime minister. Simion stated that he might even call a referendum on Georgescu’s role in his administration, should he be elected president.

Nicusor Dan rules out any government led by Georgescu. During a campaign debate, Dan expressed his preference for interim president Ilie Bolojan to become prime minister. Bolojan previously led the center-right National Liberal Party before assuming the role of interim head of state.

Which parties to be in the new government

During a debate, George Simion said he envisions a government of national unity to help Romania exit its cycle of crises. However, he did not specify which parties should be part of such a cabinet.

Nicusor Dan believes Romania needs a pro-European government composed of four pro-Western parties: the Save Romania Union (USR), the National Liberal Party (PNL), the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), and the Social Democratic Party (PSD).

Relations with news media 

George Simion did not take part in any campaign debates before the first round. Following his decisive victory on May 4, he participated in a single televised debate with his opponent on Euronews. However, he declined further participation in other debates organized by Romanian broadcasters.

Simion's relations with the news media have been controversial. He has accused several media outlets of bias and even denied access to journalists from Antena 1, Antena 3 CNN, Romania TV, and the news site G4Media to his campaign headquarters. Romania’s National Audiovisual Council condemned a post by George Simion regarding his refusal to join a Digi24 debate, calling it an act of pressure against the media.

Nicusor Dan participated in all debates to which he was invited, both before the first round and during the final week.

What are the presidential powers in Romania

In Romania, the president has the right to nominate as prime minister a representative from any parliamentary party, provided no party has secured more than 50% of the vote in parliamentary elections – as is currently the case.

The presidential term lasts five years and is limited to no more than two consecutive terms. The head of state has a semi-executive role, including command of the armed forces and chairmanship of the Supreme Council of National Defence, which makes decisions on matters such as military assistance. The president also represents Romania at EU and NATO summits, can veto key EU decisions, and appoints the prime minister, high-ranking judges, prosecutors, and intelligence service heads.

These are Romania’s tenth presidential elections (following the annulment of the ninth) since the fall of the communist regime in 1989. 

Over the past 35 years, the country has had four regular presidents: Ion Iliescu (two non-consecutive terms), Emil Constantinescu (one term), Traian Basescu (two consecutive terms), and Klaus Iohannis (two consecutive terms). 

Acting presidents have included Nicolae Vacaroiu (2007), Crin Antonescu (2012), and Ilie Bolojan (2025) whose interim term will last until the appointment of a new head of state.