Pro-EU centrist in Romania’s tense presidential race takes lead, preliminary data shows

Presidential candidate George Simion casts his vote next to his wife Ilinca in the second round of the country's presidential election redo in Mogosoaia, Romania, Sunday, May 18, 2025. AP /PTI(AP05_18_2025_000083B)

Bucharest, May 18 (AP) The pro-European Union candidate in Romania’s tense presidential runoff has taken a lead in the polls, preliminary electoral data shows, in a closely-watched vote against a hard-right nationalist that could determine the geopolitical direction of the NATO member country.

The race pitted front-runner George Simion, the 38-year-old leader of the hard-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, or AUR, against incumbent Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan. It was held months after the cancellation of the previous election plunged Romania into its worst political crisis in decades.

After 6.8 million votes had been counted, Dan was ahead with 52.4 per cent, while Simion trailed at 47.6 per cent, according to official data. (AP) GSP

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