Overview

• The May 4 election follows the annulment of the November 2024 results by Romania's Constitutional Court due to Russian interference and financial irregularities.
• George Simion, leader of the ultranationalist AUR party, is polling in the lead with 29–34%, while pro-EU candidates Crin Antonescu and Nicușor Dan trail closely.
• Turnout is brisk among Romania's 19 million eligible voters, including a highly active diaspora that began voting the previous day.
• If no candidate surpasses 50% of the vote, a runoff between the top two contenders will be held on May 18.
• The election is seen as a referendum on Romania's geopolitical orientation, balancing EU/NATO alignment against nationalist-populist currents.