Bucharest (TDI): European allies and markets have welcomed the victory of Nicusor Dan, a centrist and pro-EU presidential election candidate, as the new President of Romania.
The 55-years-old mathematician and former mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan, secured 54% votes against rival candidate, George Simion, who is known for his nationalist and Euroskeptic hard-right stance.
George Simion is also a vocal admirer of President Trump, whose victory in the first round of voting had rattled the European allies and investors.
After the victory of Dan, the Romanian Leu has gained more than 1% after depreciating as much as 3% earlier this month in the run up to the elections. Romanian bonds have also gained strength indicating the stabilization of Romanian market.
My warmest congratulations to @NicusorDanRO on his victory tonight!
The Romanian people have turned out massively to the polls.
They have chosen the promise of an open, prosperous Romania in a strong Europe.
Together let’s deliver on that promise.
Looking forward to working…
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 18, 2025
Both presidential candidates made contrasting promises during their election campaigns. George Simion, the 38-years-old nationalist, had not only been extremely critical of EU leadership, but was also against providing military support to Ukraine.
On the other hand, the soft-spoken, pro-EU Nicusor Dan pledged to fight against corruption, provide military support to Ukraine, and keep Romania firmly on its European path.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, was one of the first to congratulate Nicusor Dan on his victory.
President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, also congratulated Dan and said, “From city hall to the table of the European Council. This is a strong signal of Romanians’ attachment to the European project.”
Several other European leaders including Poland’s Tusk, France’s Macron, and Germany’s Merz applauded the victory of Nicusor Dan.
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French President, Emmanuel Macron said on his social media account X, “Despite numerous attempts at manipulation, Romanians tonight chose democracy, the rule of law, and the European Union.”
The Sunday elections took place nearly six months after the initial ballot controversy, which led to the cancellation of the elections due to alleged Russian interference and support for the far-right candidate, Calin Georgescu.
Russia denied the allegation, but Calin Georgescu was barred from standing in the elections.
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France came under fire earlier yesterday, when the founder of Telegram app, Russian-born Pavel Durov, accused the head of French foreign intelligence services, and said that he asked Durov to ban the conservative voices of Romania ahead of the elections, a request which was refused by Pavel.
The French Intelligence denied ever making such a request.
Dmitry Peskov, the official spokesperson of the Kremlin commented on these allegations that this was not the first time European countries including France, Germany, and Britain have interfered in the internal affairs of other country.
Javaria Khalid is a writer and researcher, who specializes in Pakistan's Foreign Policy Analysis, transatlantic geopolitics, and Pakistan’s relations with the European countries and the EU. She can be reached at javariakhalid011@outlook.com
