Right-wing surge: Simion leads in Romania's re‑vote race
In Romania, repeated presidential elections were held. Exit poll research indicates that the leader of the radical right-wing AUR party received the most votes in the first round. Voter turnout exceeded 53 percent. Approximately 19 million people were eligible to vote, both within the country and abroad.
In the repeated presidential elections in Romania, George Simion, the leader of the radical right-wing AUR (Alliance for the Union of Romanians) party, received the most votes in the first round, obtaining 33.1 percent of the support. The liberal Crin Antonescu came in second with 22.9 percent. Nicusor Dan, the mayor of Bucharest, claimed third place with 20.9 percent, according to an exit poll conducted by the CURS center.
Another study, conducted by phone by the INSCOP center, also indicates Simion leading with 36.2 percent support. In this study, Antonescu received 21.5 percent and Dan 20.6 percent. The results from the Avangarde center's exit poll show Simion with 30 percent, while Dan and Antonescu both received 23 percent each.
Other candidates included Victor Ponta, a former prime minister from the Social Democrats, Elena Lasconi, leader of the center-right USR (Save Romania Union), Cristian Terhes from the Romanian National Conservative Party, Marcela Sandru from the Humanist Social Liberal Party, Sebastian Popescu from the New Romania Party, and Silviu Predoiu from the National Action League Party. Additionally, there were independent candidates John-Ion Banu-Muscel and Petru Funeriu.
Active diaspora
Voter turnout in Romania exceeded 53 percent. Approximately 19 million people were eligible to vote, both within the country and abroad. The diaspora was particularly active, with about 970,000 citizens voting, a higher number than in previous elections. It should be noted that more than 6 million citizens live outside Romania's borders.
Sunday's elections were a re-vote after the Constitutional Court annulled the first round from November 2024. There were allegations against Calin Georgescu, who took first place at the time, regarding campaign violations and Russian support.
