Hard-right leader wins first round of Romania's presidential election rerun
George Simion, leader of the hard-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, emerged as the clear frontrunner in Romania 's presidential election redo, securing 40.5 per cent of the vote with nearly all ballots counted.
The vote followed last year's annulled election marred by allegations of fraud.
Mr Simion, 38, now faces Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan in the 18 May runoff.
Mr Dan trailed with 20.89 per cent of the vote while centrist Crin Antonescu, the ruling coalition's candidate, stood third with 20.34 per cent and conceded defeat, saying it was an 'irreversible result'.
'This is not just an electoral victory, it is a victory of Romanian dignity. It's the victory of those who have not lost hope, of those who still believe in Romania, a free, respected, sovereign country,' Mr Simion said in a recorded speech aired after polls closed.
'I am here to restore constitutional order. I want democracy, I want normalcy, and I have a single objective: to give back to Romanian people what was taken from them and to place at the centre of decision-making the ordinary, honest, dignified people.'
The rerun followed the disqualification of Calin Georgescu, who unexpectedly topped the first round of last year's election but was controversially barred from running this time around. Last year's result was annulled after the top court ruled that declassified documents had revealed alleged Russian influence in the election.
Mr Georgescu denied any wrongdoing.
Mr Simion, who backed Mr Georgescu, 63, vowed to restore 'constitutional order' and appeal to Romanians disillusioned with the political elite.
On Sunday, he said he had no other goal than 'first place for the Romanian people'.
Mr Georgescu called the vote rerun 'a fraud orchestrated by those who have made deceit the only state policy'. However, he added that he voted to 'acknowledge the power of democracy, the power of the vote that frightens the system, that terrifies the system'.
According to the Central Election Bureau, nearly 9.57 million people, 53.2 per cent of those eligible, voted in the election, including 973,000 at overseas polling stations.
Analysts said that Mr Simion's success signalled a political upheaval and rising populism amid economic malaise and deep mistrust in traditional institutions in Romania.
Mr Simion said earlier that if elected, he would reveal 'how much we have contributed to the war effort in Ukraine, to the detriment of Romanian children and our elderly'.
'The anti-establishment sentiment is not like an anarchic movement but is against the people who destroyed this country,' he told Associated Press days before the rerun. 'We are not a democratic state anymore.'
Cristian Andrei, a political consultant in Bucharest, told the news agency Mr Simion's decisive lead marked a fundamental shift in Romania's political landscape. And if Mr Dan advanced to the runoff as well, he added, it would signal a resounding rejection of the traditional political class and establishment.
'You have a populist or pro-sovereign movement, and you also have this liberal, urban, pro-Western segment of Romania that wants change,' he said, explaining that it would be a 'huge rejection of the classic political parties, and this will mean that the entire political spectrum will be reshaped.'
Mr Dan, a 55-year-old mathematician and former anti-corruption activist who founded the Save Romania Union in 2016, campaigned on a pro-EU 'Honest Romania' platform.
'It is about the trust of Romanians and our partners in democracy,' he said after the polls closed, 'and in my opinion, it is a new beginning that we all have a responsibility to do correctly.'
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The statement added: 'Police officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, fireworks, heavy masonry and bricks thrown in their direction by masked rioters. Fifteen officers were injured with some requiring hospital treatment. 'Two police vehicles were also damaged during the disorder 'A number of homes and businesses were damaged with windows and doors smashed. Four houses were damaged by fire with three people evacuated.' 'The attacks on these properties are being investigated as racially motivated hate attacks. 'Windows were also smashed of several business units in Galgorm Parks in the early hours. In total, six properties in Clonavon Terrace have sustained damage to windows and doors during the disorder. 'During the course of the serious disorder, authorised police officers discharged one Attenuating Energy Projectile (AEP) with one rioter struck. 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Today, we are actively working to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. Over the coming days, we will have in place a significant policing presence to help protect these communities in Ballymena and prevent any future disorder. 'During the course of the night, 15 officers were injured. I am hugely grateful to them for their bravery in facing this challenge. I also want to put on record my gratitude for colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, who were responding to help keep people safe. 'We are engaging with groups affected by the disorder to support and reassure them. I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterday's violent disorder to reflect long and hard about their actions, they will have consequences. I also appeal for calm over the coming days. 'Anyone who has information or who can help identify those responsible is asked to contact police on 101.' TUV leader Mr Allister said: 'Within Ballymena there has been rising concerns about the sheer scale of migration into the town and that would have been a factor in the wholly peaceful protest. 'All that to be distinguished from the wanton violence which then followed, with obviously a minority of that peaceful crowd wanting to take advantage of that to visit violence which wasn't wanted or warranted, hence the scenes that we saw. 'It is very distressing to see scenes of violence on the streets of Ballymena.' Mr Allister said tensions have been building in the town 'for a considerable period of time'. Ms Long said: 'I am absolutely appalled by the disturbing scenes in Ballymena yesterday evening during which PSNI officers were injured, residents terrorised, and properties damaged. 'There is absolutely no place in our society for such disorder and there can be no justification for it. 'I would appeal to those involved to seriously consider their actions and step back from this behaviour before someone is seriously injured or worse. 'Attacking homes and police officers serves no purpose other than to damage communities and raise tensions. Those involved will be pursued and held accountable for their actions. 'I have conveyed to the PSNI my best wishes to the injured officers for a speedy recovery. 'I am also calling on community and political leaders and all those with influence to condemn this violence and work with the police and community to quell any further disorder or violence.' In a statement on Monday night, the PSNI said a number of missiles had been thrown towards police with damage reported to a number of properties. It said officers would remain in the area to monitor the situation. Chief Superintendent Sue Steen said: 'We are urging everyone to remain calm and to act responsibly. Violence and disorder will only place people at greater risk. 'Our priority is to keep the community safe, and I would appeal to everyone to work with us to bring calm to the area as quickly as possible.' The PSNI asked anyone with information to contact them on 101 or online via Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at
