Romania’s far-right candidate George Simion was leading in Sunday’s first round of presidential elections according to exit polls for the rerun of last year’s annulled ballot that plunged the country into political turmoil.
The stakes are high for the NATO country of 19 million, which has become a key pillar of the defence alliance since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Simion, leader of the nationalist AUR party, scored between 30 to 33 percent of the vote, according to two exit polls.
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Crin Antonescu, backed by Romania’s governing pro-European coalition, was neck-and-neck with Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan, who both took between 21 and 23 percent,
“Together we made history today,” said Simion in a video message broadcast at his party’s headquarters to supporters chanting “Out with the thieves, let patriots come”.
But political science professor Sergiu Miscoiu told AFP that Simion was “likely to be defeated in the second round” on May 18, while predicting that it would be a close race.
‘MAGA’ President
In all, 11 presidential hopefuls were vying for the largely ceremonial but influential foreign policy post on Sunday.
The rerun follows the cancellation of last year’s vote won by NATO critic Calin Georgescu.
He was barred from the rerun after authorities noted a massive TikTok campaign and issued claims of Russian interference, sparking sometimes violent protests.
Georgescu was replaced by 38-year-old Simion, a fan of Donald Trump often seen wearing a cap with the US president’s slogan “Make America Great Again”.
“It’s time to take our country back,” said the barred Georgescu after casting his ballot alongside Simion in Mogosoaia, on the outskirts of Bucharest.
“We are here with a single mission: to return to democracy – and bring justice to Romania,” said Simion, who campaigned on a promise to put Romania first.
Many voters clearly wanted change on Sunday, among them Robert Teodoroiu, who told AFP he hoped that this time his ballot would count after last year’s vote was annulled.
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“I’m trying my luck again,” said the 37-year-old driver in Bucharest.
Voter turnout stood at about 53 percent when polls closed.
Simion has largely campaigned online, partly in a bid to woo Romania’s influential overseas voters.
While describing himself as “more moderate” than Georgescu, he shares his aversion to what he calls “Brussels’ unelected bureaucrats”.
Simion accuses EU officials of having meddled in Romania’s elections