In a dramatic and deeply consequential runoff election, Romanians have chosen Nicușor Dan as their next president, delivering a firm rejection of far-right politics and embracing a vision of unity and democratic renewal. Dan, an independent politician and former mayor of Bucharest, won 54% of the vote, defeating George Simion, the nationalist leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR). The runoff followed an intense and often polarizing campaign season, heightened by last year’s annulled election amid allegations of Russian interference.
In his victory speech on Sunday night, Dan struck a unifying tone, saying, “We need to build Romania together, irrespective of who you voted for.” His message of healing resonated with millions across the country. Throughout his campaign, Dan championed democratic values, economic modernization, and closer ties to the European Union, ideas that found strong support in urban centers and among the Romanian diaspora.
World leaders responded swiftly. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Dan’s win as a “victory for democracy and European unity,” while Moldova’s President Maia Sandu hailed the result as “a beacon of stability in the region.” Dan’s election cements Romania’s place among the EU’s pro-democracy bloc at a time when some of its neighbors are turning inward or leaning toward authoritarianism.
Simion, who had narrowly led in the first round, energized voters with a populist message centered on nationalism, skepticism toward the EU, and opposition to military support for Ukraine. His campaign was particularly strong among Romanian communities in Spain, Italy, Germany, and the UK. But in the end, Dan’s message reached further. Voter turnout hit historic highs, reflecting just how much was at stake for ordinary Romanians. Many feared the consequences of turning away from Europe and embracing a more insular future.
Dan now faces the difficult task of turning hope into policy. He inherits a deeply divided nation, an economy needing reform, and a region facing geopolitical uncertainty. Analysts warn that the populist wave hasn’t disappeared—it’s only been checked, for now. Still, for tonight, many in Romania are breathing a sigh of relief. “We’ve chosen a harder path,” one voter in Cluj-Napoca said, “but it’s the right one. We want a Romania that stands tall—not alone.” As Nicușor Dan prepares to take office, the world watches to see if his presidency can truly deliver the change he promised—and the unity he now calls for.
