Local sources from Romania: Digi24, Adevarul.
UK coverage: The Guardian.
Romanians are currently voting in a presidential election rerun that could potentially see ultranationalist George Simion come to power, according to reports from Digi24 and Adevarul. Simion, who opposes military aid to Ukraine and criticizes the EU’s leadership, is comfortably ahead in the polls. This victory for Simion could potentially lead to Romania veering from its pro-western path and becoming a disruptive force within the EU and NATO. The original election was canceled due to evidence of a ‘massive’ Russian influence campaign. It is worth noting that Simion’s party, the Alliance for the Union of Romanians, began as an anti-vaxx movement during the pandemic.
The presidential elections, which began on Sunday, May 4th, have garnered significant international attention. The cancellation of the previous ballot, a rare situation in the European Union, has caught the eye of the foreign press. The electoral context is marked by uncertainty, an intense campaign on social media, and the rise of the far right, mirroring the situation on November 24th, as noted by AFP.
George Simion, a nationalist and sovereigntist leader, has emerged as one of the favorites in the race, with approximately 30% of the voting intentions. He relies on his image as an outsider to the system, anti-Brussels messages, and a viral campaign on TikTok to mobilize the electorate. Although he denies any association with Russia, his rhetoric remains strongly eurosceptic, and he accuses European institutions of interfering in the electoral process. Simion enjoys support among Romanians who are disillusioned with traditional parties, with voters from small towns and the diaspora placing their hopes in a radical change, despite the controversies surrounding him.
However, three other candidates also have real chances of entering the second round. Crin Antonescu, representing the pro-EU governing coalition, Nicușor Dan, with an anti-corruption discourse, and Victor Ponta, a former prime minister with populist accents in his campaign, are all strong contenders. The race is described as ‘very tight’ by expert Remus Ștefureac, making it difficult to predict the outcome of the Romanian vote.
The election is being closely monitored internationally, with the cancellation of the first round generating protests and reactions, including criticism from the United States. American Vice President JD Vance voiced his concerns, stating that the popular will should not be ignored based on unclear suspicions. As the voting process unfolds, Digi24 and Adevarul will continue to provide real-time coverage and updates on the election results.
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