In the second round of the country's presidential election, Bucharest's independent liberal mayor Nicosur Dan is facing the far-right candidate George Simion. If the latter wins, a challenging time for European cooperation is expected.
Romania actually held its presidential election last autumn – but the country's political landscape was turned upside down. Another far-right candidate, Calin Georgescu, received the most votes in the first round – but the election was invalidated due to allegations of undue influence from abroad, including via TikTok.
Georgescu has not been allowed to run in the new election, whose first round was held.
"For Romania"
The party's new candidate Simion is a former football hooligan who made headlines last year when he was physically threatening towards a minister in parliament. On another occasion, he has threatened a former party member with sexual violence.
Simion appeared on Sunday together with Georgescu at a polling station in Bucharest and said he voted against "those who look down on us all".
I voted for our future to be decided only by Romanians, for Romanians and Romania. So may God help us.
Simion has been more nuanced in his statements than Georgescu. At the same time, he has promised that if he wins, he will make Georgescu, who has openly praised Russia's President Vladimir Putin, the prime minister.
Voted for European direction
Nicosur Dan, who visited a polling station in his hometown Fagaras, said he voted for change and prosperity.
I voted for a European direction and for a strong cooperation with our European partners, not for Romania's isolation.
The outcome of the vote is unclear. The latest opinion polls suggest that Sunday's second round will be close, after previous measurements showed a lead for Simion.
Russia has a significant strategic interest in the Romanian election. The country is located on the Black Sea coast, has NATO bases and is an important country for the world's support to Ukraine during the Russian invasion war.
The polling stations close at 8 pm, Swedish time.
