Romania is heading toward a presidential election in May, and a new poll shows right-wing opposition leader George Simion in the lead. An election held in December was voided by Romania’s Constitutional Court after allegations of Russian interference—claims that Moscow has denied. Now, with a new two-round vote set for May 4 and 18, Simion is emerging as the frontrunner, reports Reuters.
Simion, who leads the opposition Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR), is gaining support after the previous right-wing candidate in the last election, Georgescu, was banned from running again and detained by authorities. The latest poll, conducted by Verifield and commissioned by candidate Nicusor Dan, puts Simion at 35 percent in the first round.
Former Prime Minister Victor Ponta received 21.1 percent and Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, running as an independent, received 20.8 percent. Simion’s party, AUR, is polling at 31.7 percent, while the ruling Social Democrats are at 21.2 percent. The survey included 1,100 respondents between March 24 and 28 and has a 2.95 percent margin of error.
Simion, 38, has positioned himself as a nationalist, advocating for Romania’s pre-World War II borders, which would include areas now in Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine. He has been declared persona non grata in Moldova and Ukraine. His party, once a movement opposing Covid vaccines, has grown into a major opposition force by appealing to working-class Romanians, the diaspora, and young voters frustrated with mainstream politicians.
Ponta, 52, resigned as prime minister in 2015 following mass anti-corruption protests sparked by a deadly nightclub fire. While he promotes nationalist policies, he still supports Romania’s membership in the EU and NATO.
Dan, 55, is a centrist who supports Romania’s current pro-Western stance, including aid to Ukraine.
Romania’s president has significant influence over military aid, defense spending, and EU policies requiring unanimous approval.
Simion, who leads the opposition Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR), is gaining support after the previous right-wing candidate in the last election, Georgescu, was banned from running again and detained by authorities. The latest poll, conducted by Verifield and commissioned by candidate Nicusor Dan, puts Simion at 35 percent in the first round.
Former Prime Minister Victor Ponta received 21.1 percent and Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, running as an independent, received 20.8 percent. Simion’s party, AUR, is polling at 31.7 percent, while the ruling Social Democrats are at 21.2 percent. The survey included 1,100 respondents between March 24 and 28 and has a 2.95 percent margin of error.
Simion, 38, has positioned himself as a nationalist, advocating for Romania’s pre-World War II borders, which would include areas now in Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine. He has been declared persona non grata in Moldova and Ukraine. His party, once a movement opposing Covid vaccines, has grown into a major opposition force by appealing to working-class Romanians, the diaspora, and young voters frustrated with mainstream politicians.
Ponta, 52, resigned as prime minister in 2015 following mass anti-corruption protests sparked by a deadly nightclub fire. While he promotes nationalist policies, he still supports Romania’s membership in the EU and NATO.
Dan, 55, is a centrist who supports Romania’s current pro-Western stance, including aid to Ukraine.
Romania’s president has significant influence over military aid, defense spending, and EU policies requiring unanimous approval.
