The presidential elections have started in Romania, and they have become notable due to the annulment of previous electoral results, attracting significant interest both within the country and beyond its borders

This is the first round of voting, which is unfolding amidst intense political confrontation, against the backdrop of a series of events that have substantially impacted the situation in the region and in Europe as a whole. The election process began early in the morning — at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday — when the first polling stations opened, and it will run until 9:00 p.m. Citizens have the right to vote for 11 candidates, among whom the most notable interest is raised by the far-right, Eurosceptic George Simion, who aspires to become the country’s new president. He is predicted to advance to the second round, which will make the election even more tense, given his political course and rhetoric aimed against European integration and NATO. The background of these elections is long and tense. The first round, held at the end of November 2024, was annulled by the Romanian Constitutional Court due to large-scale manipulation and external interference — social media influence, foreign influence penetration, and falsifications. At that time, the controversial candidate, populist and Eurosceptic rhetoric-ist Călin Georgescu, won. However, since the results were contested and withdrawn, a repeat vote is now taking place. An important aspect is that the ballot includes 11 candidates, but the main opponents to George Simion in the runoff, scheduled in two weeks — on May 18 — will be two centrist politicians. Specifically, 65-year-old former senator Crin Antonescu has the support of three government parties advocating for Romania’s European future and has a lengthy political biography in foreign policy. His main challenger is 55-year-old Bucharest mayor Nikușor Dan, running as an independent candidate, focusing on anti-corruption measures and aiming to strengthen the country’s position within the European Union and NATO. Romanian citizens voting abroad have already begun their procedures on Friday, with high activity observed. The strong interest and engagement of the Romanian diaspora abroad indicate profound involvement in the country’s future. According to pre-election polls, Simion currently leads with approximately 30% of votes, far from the 50% needed to avoid a second round. That’s why his main opponents are the two centrists — Antonescu and Dan — each with their own strong arguments and chances. Another key point is the foreign policy stance of the candidates. All of them support Romania’s membership in the EU and NATO, confirm their backing for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, and advocate for stable integration into Western institutions. At the same time, the influence of pro-Russian candidates and their political platforms remains a concern, adding extra tension to the pre-election campaign. After vote counting and the official announcement of results, the Central Electoral Bureau will determine the winner, and the second round will be a decisive battle for the presidency. Romania’s elections matter not only for the country but also for the entire European community, as the presidential choice can influence the region’s future course regarding EU integration, security, and cooperation. In the context of international processes, the rapidly escalating tensions around Ukraine are of particular significance, and the votes of Romanians abroad play a crucial role in shaping the country’s future. For more details about the candidates, their political positions, and how these elections might alter Romania’s political landscape, please read our articles. In particular, articles about pro-Russian candidates and potential scenarios for the second round are already attracting significant interest among analysts and political observers across the region.