Romania is experiencing a significant political shift following the first round of the presidential election held on May 4, 2025 [3, 5]. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu resigned on May 5, 2025, in the wake of the election results, where the pro-EU coalition candidate failed to gain enough votes to advance to the May 18 run-off [3, 9].
George Simion, the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), secured a decisive victory in the first round with approximately 41% of the votes [3, 4, 6]. He will face Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan, an independent centrist, in the upcoming run-off [3, 6]. Ciolacu stated that his Social Democratic Party (PSD) would withdraw from the pro-Western coalition [3].
Analysts suggest that a Simion victory could potentially destabilize NATO's eastern flank and isolate Romania [3]. Simion, while supporting Romania's NATO membership, has expressed views against providing aid to Ukraine, aligning with Kremlin objectives [8]. The upcoming run-off election on May 18 will be a crucial moment for Romania's political direction [3, 5].