Political course: head-to-head race when choosing direction in Romania

This Sunday, the Romanians decide in a runoff election whether the right-wing populist and EU skeptic George Simion will be the new president. His political opponent is the liberal -conservative reform politician Nicusor Dan, who stands for anchoring the country in the EU. In the recent surveys in Germany Simion was only slightly in the lead. The mood among the Romanians chosen abroad is completely unclear, which can be decisive. The first round on May 4 had won Simion well ahead of Dan. Important questions and answers about the choice, your history and the prospects for the EU and NATO country:

What happens when Simion wins?

Romania is then likely to threaten a phase of political instability. Simion is considered unpredictable. Among other things, the 38-year-old has announced that he helps the right-wing extremist Kremlin friend Calin Georgescu to the office of prime minister. Simion also speaks of the reintroduction of the monarchy in the country. Georgescu came first in the first round of the presidential election that was canceled later last autumn. The constitutional court had canceled this election due to violent campaign financing and banned a new candidacy Georgescus.

How is Simions’ attitude in foreign policy?

There are also many question marks. So far, Simion has positioned himself as an unconditional fan of US President Donald Trump. His vice JD Vance and consultant Elon Musk have expressed great sympathy for Georgescu. Unlike the previous tour in Bucharest, Simion of Ukraine does not want to provide any help. So far, Romania has played an important role in the support of Ukraine for NATO countries as a supplementary corridor.

After a long hesitation, Simion most recently referred to Russia as an aggressor in the conflict. At the same time, there is a ban on entry into Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, which is also troubled by Russia. In the EU Parliament, on the other hand, his party AUR is part of the Russian right faction of the European Conservatives and Reformers (EKR), which also includes the party of Italy’s head of government Giorgia Meloni.

How could a President Simion act within the EU?

In his line, Simion could join the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Slovak colleague Robert Fico, who often run a blockade policy at the EU level. Simion has expressed his admiration for Orban’s politics. It is questionable whether the two actually become a couple. Orban initially supported Simion, but later rowed back. The reason: The party of the minority of around 1.2 million Hungarians living in Romania is strictly against Simion, who appeared as an extreme anti-Hungarian nationalist.

What can Simion’s opponent dan score?

Nicusor Dan (55) is a clearly EU-oriented pragmatist, Russian critic and friend of Ukraine. He made a name for himself as a monument protection officer and fighter against the real estate mafia in a club founded by him and as the Bucharest mayor. He stubbornly fought with authorities and the judiciary. His supporters appreciate his prudence, but criticize his introverts: Dan is reluctant to show feelings. In contrast, Simion, who was also the head of a football fan club, noticed with horny anger, impulsiveness and bumper.

What do the careers of Dan and Simion look like?

As a student, Dan won twice gold medals in international mathematics competitions, then studied normal Supérieure at the renowned Parisian École and completed with doctorate. Simion also studied: history, with a master’s degree. Dan founded the USR (Union saved Romania) in 2016, but left it after having taken a liberal course on non-heterosexual life forms. In his opinion, so much liberalism in conservative Romania is not politically enforceable. Dan competes as a non -party candidate.

What connects the two?

Simion and Dan have known each other for decades, from their time as a common monument protection activist. Once, Dan even saved his current opponent Simion from arrest when both demonstrated against the demolition of an old Bucharest market hall – as both unanimously told. Her paths later separated.

What role does Russia play?

There are no concrete evidence of an influence of the Kremlin on the success of Calin Georgescu in the later canceled presidential election. Numerous official statements from Moscow and investigative media research, however, suggest that Russia is interested in a victory in Simion. The Romanian constitutional court and the secret services spoke of the intervention of foreign “state” forces. In general, Romania’s government politician complain about a “hybrid war” of Russia against western countries.