A highly tense race for the presidency is ongoing in Romania, with the current leader in the runoff elections being the pro-European, pro-Western politician Nikushor Dan
According to data from the Romanian Central Electoral Commission, as of today, after processing over 99.5% of the ballots from polling stations, his lead over his opponent — the pro-Russian leader of the AUR party, George Simion — remains intact. This indicates a likely victory for Nikushor Dan, although votes among the electorate have been almost evenly split — approximately 54% for him and about 46% for his opponent. This development has become a landmark event for the entire regional political landscape, as these elections attracted significant international attention. Ukraine has already congratulated the future leader with this result — President Volodymyr Zelensky — emphasizing the importance of strategic partnership between our countries. Responding to a phone conversation with the newly elected president, Zelensky stated: "For Ukraine — as a neighbor and trusted friend — it is extremely important to have a stable and pro-European partner in Romania. We are convinced that this will indeed be the case. Together, we can defend our states, strengthen European values, and collaborate. We will always regard Romania and its people with great respect, considering the support we received during the most challenging times in our history. I believe that our strategic partnership, built on trust and mutual understanding, will continue to promote stability, security, and prosperity for our peoples." According to sources from official channels, the candidate from the far-right pro-Russian AUR party, George Simion, has currently declared himself the winner of the election and does not intend to recognize the results that contradict the official data. This adds tension around the vote count and possible subsequent legal procedures. Earlier reports indicated that exit polls predicted Simion's defeat — the pro-Russian candidate is evidently behind in the final vote tally. However, the final outcome depends on the votes sent from the Romanian diaspora, which could significantly influence the final results. The outcome of these elections has sparked widespread discussion in political circles and media, as the victory of the pro-European candidate for Romania signifies further strengthening of the country’s strategic orientations within the EU and NATO. In the context of regional security, this victory sends an important signal of efforts to counter external influences and preserve European values in a country historically divided between different ideological lines. Regarding potential consequences, expert analyses do not rule out that Dan’s victory could foster a more pragmatic policy towards Russia and its satellites, as well as bolster regional integration processes. At the same time, the pro-Russian candidate, who refuses to accept defeat, leaves open questions about future conflicts and internal tensions. If this choice is legally and politically secured, the Romanian political scene and regional security could undergo changes that would impact the entire Black Sea region. During the electoral campaign, ideas about the country's future course — balancing between European integration and potential rapprochement with Russia or partial pro-Russian policies of the self-declared candidates — were actively discussed. Overall, the results of the second round of the Romanian presidential elections serve as an important indicator of the country’s political direction and its approach to future cooperation within Europe and the region. The official confirmation of the results and the subsequent actions of the newly elected president — who will undoubtedly face the task of maintaining a balance between internal and external challenges regarding regional security and stability — will be decisive.