George Simion’s Eurosceptic Nationalism vs. Nicusor Dan’s Pro-European Reforms and the Diaspora Vote in Spain: Romania’s 2025 Presidential Election.
Romanians will decide in the second round of the presidential elections between two opposing visions: the eurosceptic nationalism of George Simion, leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), and the pro-European reforms of Bucharest’s mayor, Nicusor Dan, an independent candidate.
These elections, marked by the annulment of the 2024 vote due to alleged Russian interference, reflect a nation torn between its integration into the European Union (EU) and NATO, and a growing discontent fueling the rise of the far right.
A Context of crisis and polarization.
In December 2024, Romania’s Constitutional Court annulled the results of the first round of the presidential election, in which ultranationalist Călin Georgescu had surprisingly emerged victorious.
The decision, based on accusations of Russian manipulation through TikTok campaigns, triggered mass protests and deepened public distrust in democratic institutions. Georgescu, banned from the 2025 race due to criminal investigations, cleared the path for Simion, who capitalized on the widespread discontent.
The first round on May 4, 2025, solidified Simion’s rise, securing 40.96% of the vote—nearly doubling Dan’s 20.99%. The resignation of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu following the failure of his candidate, Crin Antonescu, plunged the country into political crisis.
With a budget deficit of 9% of GDP and 5% inflation, Romania’s economy faces turbulence, exacerbated by the leu’s fall to historic lows after Simion’s initial victory.
George Simion: The voice of nationalism.
George Simion, 38, is a controversial figure. As the leader of AUR, he portrays himself as a Christian patriot, admirer of Donald Trump, and staunch defender of “Romanian sovereignty.” His anti-establishment rhetoric resonates in rural areas, small towns, and among a diaspora disillusioned with the political elite. He promises to cut bureaucracy, lower taxes, and double the defense budget to 4% of GDP, modeling his policies on Trump’s governance style.
However, his euroscepticism raises concerns in Brussels. Simion opposes military aid to Ukraine, criticizes EU leadership, and has drawn comparisons to leaders like Viktor Orbán and Giorgia Meloni. Although he denies being pro-Russian—stating that Russia is Romania’s greatest threat—his ambiguous rhetoric and past association with Georgescu fuel fears of a shift toward an anti-EU bloc alongside Hungary and Slovakia.
Nicusor Dan: Defender of the pro-European elite.
Nicusor Dan, 55, represents an elitist, pro-European vision that clashes with the sentiment of many disaffected Romanians. A mathematician and former anti-urban corruption activist, he founded the Save Romania Union (USR), but now runs as an independent—a move that fails to hide his alignment with Brussels’ interests.
His support is concentrated in large cities among affluent, cosmopolitan voters who prioritize EU and NATO integration over rural needs. Dan advocates continued support for Ukraine and promises economic stability, but his proposals seem more geared toward pleasing foreign investors than addressing the daily concerns of ordinary Romanians.
At a rally in Bucharest, he tried to appeal for unity, asking, “How did we reach so much hatred and division in a country of hardworking people?” Yet his words fell flat with an electorate weary of technocratic promises.
Though attempting to draw voters from eliminated candidates like Victor Ponta—allegedly with 69% backing in polls—Dan’s lack of grassroots connection and his image as an urban, out-of-touch politician may not be enough to counter Simion’s momentum among the masses.
Romanian Society: Between hope and fatigue.
The rise of the far right reflects a deep-rooted malaise. According to analyst Jacques Rupnik, Romania is split between prosperous major cities and underdeveloped rural areas where nationalist rhetoric resonates.
The diaspora, benefitting from the EU yet disillusioned with local politics, also supports Simion. A poll by INSCOP Research shows that 90% of Romanians want to maintain ties with the West, but political fatigue and economic hardship fuel anti-establishment sentiment.
Pro-European demonstrations on May 9 in Bucharest, under the slogan “One Path: Europe,” revealed resistance to Simion. Signs like “Better queues for voting than for passports” reflected fears of democratic backsliding.
Nevertheless, the high 52% turnout in the 2024 legislative elections indicates a mobilized, though polarized, electorate.
The Romanian diaspora vote in Spain: A key factor in the 2025 presidential elections.
Tomorrow, May 18, 2025, Romania will hold the second round of its crucial presidential elections, and the vote of approximately 600,000 Romanian citizens living in Spain could prove decisive.
In the first round on May 4, ultranationalist candidate George Simion, leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), dominated among the diaspora in Spain, securing 74.3% of the vote—around 30,000 ballots—in 69 of the 147 polling stations, according to Euronews. Pro-European independent candidate Nicusor Dan garnered barely 14% among this group.
Spain, along with Italy and Germany, hosts one of the largest Romanian diasporas, totaling over five million people—nearly one million of whom voted in the first round.
To facilitate participation, 147 polling stations were set up in Spain, including two at the consulate in Madrid, open from Friday, May 16 to Sunday, May 18, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., except on the first day, when they opened at noon.
Strong support for Simion in Spain reflects discontent with political elites and the EU, as expressed by Mihail Emanuel Chita, a Romanian entrepreneur in Spain, who criticized redistribution policies and uncontrolled immigration.
However, Moldovan President Maia Sandu has urged dual Romanian citizens to support Dan to safeguard European integration. The high turnout among the diaspora—already reaching 158,000 votes by Friday afternoon—could tip the scales in what polls describe as a nearly tied contest.
The President of Romania resigns amid massive public pressure over the arbitrary annulment of the recent elections, which had granted victory to the conservative opposition candidate. Romania’s Constitutional Court claimed Russian interference—without providing any evidence.
Where is Romania headed?
Romania stands at a decisive crossroads that extends beyond the electoral arena. The annulment of the 2024 elections, justified by alleged external threats, has severely undermined trust in democratic institutions, feeding Romanians’ weariness with a system perceived as corrupt and out of touch.
George Simion, with his patriotic, anti-establishment message, embodies the voice of millions demanding a reclaiming of national sovereignty and prioritization of national interests over Brussels’ mandates. While critics warn of potential isolation, his vision resonates as a cry of resistance against a globalist elite that has neglected working-class Romanians.
Nicusor Dan, on the other hand, represents a pro-European continuity that many see as more of the same—technocratic promises that have failed to bridge the gap between prosperous cities and rural Romania.
These elections will not only choose a president—they will determine whether Romania embraces its national pride or yields to external pressures.
The decision lies in the ballots, and with Simion in the lead, the country could reclaim its destiny with a strong, sovereign voice.
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