‘Romanian Trump’ George Simion won the first round of presidential elections

Eurosceptic George Simion won the first round of repeated presidential elections in Romania on Sunday, showing incomplete results, according to which the Central Candidate and Mayor of Bucharest Nicusor Dan broke into second place with a close advantage. The ballots with nearly 98 percent of polling stations showed that Bucharest Mayor was second with about 21 percent of the vote, behind Simioni’s 40 percent. The two will be together in the race in the second round of the election of May 18, if the final results of the confirmation of this existing result after the votes of the diaspora is counted.

Syrian’s victory could insulate the country, impair private investments and destabilize the eastern NATO’s side, where Ukraine is fighting three-year Russian invasions, political observers say. It would also expand a group of Eurosceptic leaders in the EU, which already includes the Hungarian and Slovak prime minister, at a time when Europe is struggling with formulating its response to Donald Trump.

« This is not just an election victory, it’s a victory for Romanian dignity. It is the victory of those who have not lost hope, those who still believe in Romania, free, respected and sovereign land, » Simion said.

Using a wave of folk anger against the leading leaders, 38-year-old Simion opposes military assistance to neighboring Ukraine, criticizes the EU leadership and says he is associated with the movement of US President Make American Great Again.

An independent candidate with an anti-corruption platform, a 55-year-old day, overtook former senator Crina Antonescua (65), also a centrist candidate, supported by three parties in the prosecution coalition government, for his place in the second round.

He has won significant support among Romanians abroad, who have favored candidates against establishment like him and Simion in recent years.

« Eyes on the west, I believe that this is what the campaign should be done, about retaining the western direction in Romania, » Dan told reporters on Sunday night. « … (and) it is understandable to explain to people at home the flaws we had in the relationship with these institutions. They came from our own guilt that we were not active and prepared. »