Top right-wing officials across Europe hailed George Simion’s victory in the first round of Romania’s presidential re-run on Sunday as a major boost for nationalist and euroskeptic forces within the EU.

“Congratulations to George Simion, Vice President of ECR Party, on the excellent result in the first round of the presidential elections! Wishing you the best of luck in the second round!” said Mateusz Morawiecki, former Polish prime minister and current president of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in the European Parliament.

A vocal admirer of U.S. President Donald Trump, Simion has embraced a nationalist, anti-establishment agenda that mirrors MAGA-style rhetoric. His victory on Sunday raises the prospect of Romania aligning with anti-Ukraine voices at the EU leaders’ table, alongside Hungary and Slovakia.

“In Romania the people finally voted, freely, with their heads and hearts. With all due respect to the ‘gentlemen’ of Brussels and their dirty tricks. Bravo George Simion!” said Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right League party.

“Congratulations to our ally George Simion who came out on top in the first round of the presidential election in Romania this evening, with more than 30 percent of the vote,” said Marion Maréchal, a senior official in France’s far-right Reconquête! party, as initial results were announced Sunday evening.

Simion, founder of the hard-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), won more than 40 percent of the vote Sunday, defeating his rivals by a wide margin. Centrist Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan came in second with just under 21 percent, narrowly edging out establishment candidate Crin Antonescu, who secured 20 percent.

Simion and Dan are set to face off in a runoff election on May 18.

Politico

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