Far-right candidate leads Romania’s presidential rerun

Eurosceptic George Simion appears on course for victory in the first round of Romania’s presidential election re-run, partial results show, after a ballot seen as a test of the rise of Donald Trump-style nationalism in the European Union.

Ballots from 50% of voting stations show former senator Crin Antonescu, 65, in second place, with 23%, behind Simion’s 42%. In third place is Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, 55, at 16%. The top two candidates will meet in a runoff on May 18.

A Simion victory could isolate the country, erode private investment and destabilize NATO’s eastern flank, where Ukraine is fighting a three-year-old Russian invasion, political observers say.

“This is not just an electoral victory, it is a victory of Romanian dignity. It is the victory of those who have not lost hope, of those who still believe in Romania, a free, respected, sovereign country,” Simion says.

Benefiting from a wave of popular anger against mainstream leaders, Simion, 38, opposes military aid to neighboring Ukraine, is critical of EU leadership and says he is aligned with the US president’s Make America Great Again movement.

Antonescu, 65, absent from politics for a decade, wants to continue Romania’s substantial role in supporting Ukraine, and is well known by the electorate.

Sunday’s vote came five months after a first attempt to hold the election was cancelled because of alleged Russian interference in favor of far-right frontrunner Calin Georgescu, since banned from standing again.

Simion voted alongside Georgescu, who called the election a “fraud” and urged people to take their country back. As dozens of people thronged outside the voting station chanting “Calin for president,” Simion said his vote was “to restore democracy.”