Pro-EU Nicusor Dan wins Romania presidential election in surprise turnaround
Romania's centrist Bucharest mayor, Nicusor Dan, won the presidential election, surprising many after a tough race against a far-right rival.Dan had more than 5.83 million votes with nearly 99% of the total votes counted, giving him an insurmountable lead over hard-right rival George Simion. Exit polls right after the voting suggested he had 54-55%.MESSAGE TO SUPPORTERS AFTER WINAfter the election results were announced, he said in a social media post, "It was an unprecedented mobilisation and, therefore, the victory belongs to each of you. To each Romanian who went to vote, made their voice heard and thus fought for what they believe in, for the country they want and in which they wish to live. Starting tomorrow, we begin the reconstruction of Romania, a united, HONEST Romania, based on respect for the law and for all people."advertisementDan, a quiet mathematician aged 55, made a strong comeback in the last days of the campaign. For weeks, he had been behind George Simion, a far-right politician who supports US President Donald Trump and wants Romania to stop military aid to Ukraine.Dan has been supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia. He also promised to keep Romania close to the European Union. Romania has helped Ukraine with important military logistics.He said that he expected coalition talks to form a new government to last a few weeks. Speaking to private television station Digi24, Dan said he wanted a new coalition government to include all four centre-right and centre-left parliamentary parties.Now, Dan has to pick a prime minister to work with parliament on fixing Romania's large budget deficit, which is the biggest in the European Union.advertisementAfter the exit polls came out, Dan told his supporters, "There will be a difficult period ahead. But we must be hopeful and patient to build a strong and healthy society."Two weeks ago, in the first round of voting, Simion had won 41% of the votes and was the leading candidate.The president of Romania possesses significant powers, including chairing the defense council that determines military assistance. The president also controls foreign policy and can veto European Union decisions requiring unanimity.The Romanian poll was on the same day as the first round of Poland's presidential election, in which a liberal candidate, Rafal Trzaskowski, narrowly topped a nationalist rival.After voting ended, Simion posted on Facebook, "I won!!! I am the new President of Romania, and I am giving back power to the Romanians!"The Romanian presidential election was held nearly six months after the first vote was cancelled after allegations of Russian interference - claims that Moscow denied. At the time, far-right candidate Calin Georgescu, who had been a frontrunner, was disqualified from running again.
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