Romania’s far-right candidate George Simion leads in first spherical of presidential rerun, exit polls present

Romania’s far-right candidate George Simion was main in Sunday’s first spherical of presidential elections in keeping with exit polls for the rerun of final 12 months’s annulled poll that plunged the nation into political turmoil.

The stakes are excessive for the NATO nation of 19 million, which has turn into a key pillar of the defence alliance since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Simion, chief of the nationalist AUR get together, scored between 30 to 33 p.c of the vote, in keeping with two exit polls.

Crin Antonescu, backed by Romania’s governing pro-European coalition, was neck-and-neck with Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan, who each took between 21 and 23 p.c,

“Collectively we made historical past right now,” stated Simion in a video message broadcast at his get together’s headquarters to supporters chanting “Out with the thieves, let patriots come”.

However political science professor Sergiu Miscoiu advised AFP that Simion was “prone to be defeated within the second spherical” on Could 18, whereas predicting that it might be a detailed race.

‘MAGA’ President

In all, 11 presidential hopefuls have been vying for the largely ceremonial however influential international coverage put up on Sunday.

The rerun follows the cancellation of final 12 months’s vote received by NATO critic Calin Georgescu.

He was barred from the rerun after authorities famous an enormous TikTok marketing campaign and issued claims of Russian interference, sparking typically violent protests.

Georgescu was changed by 38-year-old Simion, a fan of Donald Trump typically seen carrying a cap with the US president’s slogan “Make America Nice Once more”.

“It’s time to take our nation again,” stated the barred Georgescu after casting his poll alongside Simion in Mogosoaia, on the outskirts of Bucharest.

“We’re right here with a single mission: to return to democracy – and convey justice to Romania,” stated Simion, who campaigned on a promise to place Romania first.

Many citizens clearly wished change on Sunday, amongst them Robert Teodoroiu, who advised AFP he hoped that this time his poll would rely after final 12 months’s vote was annulled.

“I’m making an attempt my luck once more,” stated the 37-year-old driver in Bucharest.

Voter turnout stood at about 53 p.c when polls closed.

Simion has largely campaigned on-line, partly in a bid to woo Romania’s influential abroad voters.

Whereas describing himself as “extra average” than Georgescu, he shares his aversion to what he calls “Brussels’ unelected bureaucrats”.

Simion accuses EU officers of getting meddled in Romania’s elections and has vowed to revive his nation’s “dignity” inside the European bloc.

Whereas regularly denouncing Russia, he opposes sending army support to Ukraine and needs Romania to scale back help for Ukrainian refugees.

His marketing campaign discovered favour with 67-year-old Stela Ivan. She hoped a far-right president would deliver “change” to Romania after a long time dominated by the identical political events for the reason that finish of Communism.

One other voter, 52-year-old nurse Silvia Tomescu, stated she hoped for a “higher life, larger wages and a president” who “won’t facet with Russia”.

Underneath scrutiny

Professional-European coalition Crin Antonescu campaigned on a promise to supply stability, whereas Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan vowed to combat the “corrupt” and “smug” political elite.

Former Social Democrats prime minister Victor Ponta, who had been banking on a Trump-style “Romania First” marketing campaign, has been polling behind.

Simion promised on Sunday that if he grew to become president, he would get Georgescu into energy, citing three choices on how he would obtain that: “a referendum, snap elections or the formation of a coalition in parliament that may appoint him Prime Minister”.

Following the shock annulment of final 12 months’s poll – a uncommon transfer within the EU – the rerun might be held underneath shut scrutiny.

1000’s in Romania have protested in latest months towards the annulment of the vote, denouncing what they referred to as a “coup”.

The USA additionally criticised the annulment, with Vice President JD Vance condemning the choice.

To keep away from a repeat of final 12 months’s turmoil, the authorities have stepped up preventive measures in addition to cooperation with TikTok, saying they’re dedicated to “truthful and clear” elections.

Whereas the far proper alleged “a number of indicators of fraud”, the federal government pointed to numerous disinformation campaigns it stated have been “new makes an attempt at manipulation and interference by state actors”.