Independent candidate Nicușor Dan has been officially confirmed as Romania’s next president, following a decisive win in the second round of the presidential election. With over 98.5% of the vote counted, the Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP) reports Dan has secured 54.17%, surpassing the required majority threshold and defeating far-right rival George Simion, who received 45.83%.

The result follows a politically charged campaign and a rerun of the 2024 contest, previously annulled due to confirmed foreign interference — a first in post-communist Romania. Sunday’s vote became a referendum on the country’s democratic resilience and direction.

A Mobilised Electorate

In the weeks between the two rounds, mass demonstrations erupted across the country in support of democratic values and Romania’s place in Europe. Large gatherings in cities such as Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Iași, and Timișoara saw thousands rally under a shared message: defending the rule of law, countering extremism, and embracing institutional reform.

These public displays of support energised Dan’s base and signalled widespread rejection of nationalist populism and the far-right narrative pushed by Simion and his AUR party.

Competing Visions

Dan, a pro-European technocrat and former mayor of Bucharest, campaigned on a platform of modernisation, judicial independence, and transparency. His calm, policy-focused approach stood in stark contrast to Simion, whose campaign relied on cultural nationalism, anti-EU rhetoric, and inflammatory promises — including appointing Călin Georgescu, a controversial public figure, as prime minister.

Simion gained significant support in the diaspora, but it was not enough to compensate for Dan’s dominant position within the country. With the vote count now almost complete and Dan’s lead mathematically unassailable, the result is final.

Dan Declares a “Victory for Unity”

In his post-election address, Dan described the result as “a victory for unity, for Romania’s future, and for a community that wants meaningful, lasting change.” He pledged to govern with integrity, emphasising the importance of restoring public trust in the country’s democratic institutions.

Simion, meanwhile, has refused to formally concede, instead making vague statements suggesting that the win belongs to Georgescu — a move that has drawn criticism and raised concerns about democratic norms.

What’s Next?

With Dan now confirmed as president-elect, attention turns to his transition into office. His inauguration will mark a significant shift in tone and policy direction — one that leans firmly toward the European Union, institutional reform, and democratic stability.

As one protest banner read in the lead-up to the vote: “We’re not just voting for a person. We’re voting for the kind of country we want to live in.”