Romanians are casting their votes today in a pivotal presidential election, just months after a previous vote held in November was annulled due to serious allegations of Russian interference. With polls open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM local time, the country braces for a tense political showdown. Exit polls are expected shortly after voting ends.
This rerun comes after Romania’s Constitutional Court invalidated the last election result, which had controversially declared NATO critic Calin Georgescu as the winner.
Amid widespread concerns of foreign meddling—especially linked to a viral TikTok campaign allegedly favoring Georgescu—he has been barred from running again, a decision that sparked sometimes violent protests across the country.
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Taking center stage in this rerun is far-right nationalist George Simion, who currently leads in opinion polls with around 30% of the vote. While that’s not enough to clinch a first-round victory, Simion’s rise reflects a growing wave of populism in Eastern Europe.
Known for his opposition to military aid for Ukraine and criticism of the European Union, Simion aligns himself with U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement and remains skeptical of the Western bloc’s current direction.
Despite his lead, Simion faces a likely run-off on May 18, as he remains well short of the 50% threshold required for an outright win.
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His main competition includes two centrist candidates with pro-European and pro-NATO platforms: Crin Antonescu, a seasoned 65-year-old former senator backed by the country’s ruling coalition, and Nicusor Dan, the 55-year-old mayor of Bucharest running as an independent on a strong anti-corruption agenda.
Another candidate to watch is Victor Ponta, a former prime minister who has shifted from leftist policies to a more conservative nationalist stance. Though currently polling in fourth place, his name recognition and political experience could make him a wildcard in this race.
Today’s vote is not just about choosing Romania’s next president—it’s a test of the country’s democratic resilience amid foreign interference, rising nationalism, and deepening divisions over Romania’s place in the West.
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