Pro-EU centrist in Romania’s tense presidential race takes clear lead, preliminary data shows
Associated Press1 day
Romania: Dan Wins Presidential Runoff, Simion Disputes Poll
Above: Nicusor Dan salutes his supporters as he exits his campaign headquarters in Bucharest on May 18, 2025. Image copyright: Daniel Mihailescu/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Voters have delivered a clear mandate for Nicușor Dan and his pro-European platform, demonstrating the people's will to cooperate with their Western partners while voting for change and supporting the fight against corruption. That Simion does not respect democracy and concede his defeat only makes him a bad loser.
Establishment-critical narrative
Romanians at home and abroad took to the polls to vote for a new era in the country, regardless of a series of anti-democratic establishment interference. Georgescu should have been elected president last year, and Simion is the legitimate winner of this runoff. Now is the time to oppose electoral fraud against the people's will and fight to preserve democracy in Romania.