Latest news with #CentralElectionBureau
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
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.'
The Independent
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
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.'
The Journal
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Right-wing nationalist candidate wins first round of voting in Romania's Presidential election
RIGHT-WING NATIONALIST George Simion has secured a decisive win the first round of Romania's repeated presidential election. The 38-year-old leader of the Alliance for the Unity Romanian party earned 40.5% of the vote yesterday. Bucharest's mayor Nicusor Dan and the coalition's joint candidate Crin Antonescu were trailing with 20.9% and 20.3% respectively. Antonescu conceded defeat, saying he believes it is an 'irreversible result'. Eleven candidates vied for the presidency and a runoff will be held on 18 May between the top two candidates. By the time polls closed last night, about 9.57 million people — or 53.2% of eligible voters — had cast their ballots, according to the Central Election Bureau, with 973,000 votes cast at polling stations set up in other countries. Advertisement The rerun was held after a top court voided the previous election in which the far-right outsider Calin Georgescu topped the first round, following allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference, which Moscow has denied. In a pre-recorded speech aired after polls closed, Simion said that despite many obstacles, Romanians 'have risen up' and 'we are approaching an exceptional result.' 'I am here to restore constitutional order,' said Simion, who came fourth in last year's race and later backed Georgescu. 'I want democracy, I want normalcy, and I have a single objective: to give back to the Romanian people what was taken from them and to place at the centre of decision-making the ordinary, honest, dignified people.' The presidential role carries a five-year term and significant decision-making powers in national security and foreign policy. The decision to annul the election and the ban on Georgescu's candidacy drew criticism from US vice president JD Vance, Elon Musk and Russia, which publicly supported his candidacy in the rerun.
Powys County Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Hard-right candidate secures decisive win in Romania's presidential vote
Hard-right nationalist George Simion secured a decisive win in the first round of Romania's repeated presidential election. Mr Simion, the 38-year-old leader of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), was well ahead with 40.5% of the vote after 99% of votes were counted from Sunday's vote. Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan was trailing in second with 20.89%, with the governing coalition's joint candidate, Crin Antonescu, in third with 20.34%. Mr Antonescu conceded defeat, saying he believes it is an 'irreversible result.' Eleven candidates vied for the presidency and a runoff will be held on May 18 between the top two candidates. By the time polls closed, about 9.57 million people — or 53.2% of eligible voters — had cast their ballots, according to the Central Election Bureau, with 973,000 votes cast at polling stations set up in other countries. The rerun was held after a top court voided the previous election in which the far-right outsider Calin Georgescu topped the first round, following allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference, which Moscow has denied. In a pre-recorded speech aired after polls closed, Mr Simion said that despite many obstacles, Romanians 'have risen up' and 'we are approaching an exceptional result.' 'I am here to restore constitutional order,' said Mr Simion, who came fourth in last year's race and later backed Mr Georgescu. 'I want democracy, I want normalcy, and I have a single objective: to give back to the Romanian people what was taken from them and to place at the centre of decision-making the ordinary, honest, dignified people.' Mr Georgescu, who appeared alongside Mr Simion at a polling station on Sunday in the capital Bucharest called the vote rerun 'a fraud orchestrated by those who have made deceit the only state policy,' but said he was there to 'acknowledge the power of democracy, the power of the vote that frightens the system, that terrifies the system'. The presidential role carries a five-year term and significant decision-making powers in national security and foreign policy. The decision to annul the election and the ban on Mr Georgescu's candidacy drew criticism from US vice president JD Vance, Elon Musk and Russia, which publicly supported his candidacy in the rerun.
North Wales Chronicle
05-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Hard-right candidate secures decisive win in Romania's presidential vote
Mr Simion, the 38-year-old leader of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), was well ahead with 40.5% of the vote after 99% of votes were counted from Sunday's vote. Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan was trailing in second with 20.89%, with the governing coalition's joint candidate, Crin Antonescu, in third with 20.34%. Mr Antonescu conceded defeat, saying he believes it is an 'irreversible result.' Eleven candidates vied for the presidency and a runoff will be held on May 18 between the top two candidates. By the time polls closed, about 9.57 million people — or 53.2% of eligible voters — had cast their ballots, according to the Central Election Bureau, with 973,000 votes cast at polling stations set up in other countries. The rerun was held after a top court voided the previous election in which the far-right outsider Calin Georgescu topped the first round, following allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference, which Moscow has denied. In a pre-recorded speech aired after polls closed, Mr Simion said that despite many obstacles, Romanians 'have risen up' and 'we are approaching an exceptional result.' 'I am here to restore constitutional order,' said Mr Simion, who came fourth in last year's race and later backed Mr Georgescu. 'I want democracy, I want normalcy, and I have a single objective: to give back to the Romanian people what was taken from them and to place at the centre of decision-making the ordinary, honest, dignified people.' Mr Georgescu, who appeared alongside Mr Simion at a polling station on Sunday in the capital Bucharest called the vote rerun 'a fraud orchestrated by those who have made deceit the only state policy,' but said he was there to 'acknowledge the power of democracy, the power of the vote that frightens the system, that terrifies the system'. The presidential role carries a five-year term and significant decision-making powers in national security and foreign policy. The decision to annul the election and the ban on Mr Georgescu's candidacy drew criticism from US vice president JD Vance, Elon Musk and Russia, which publicly supported his candidacy in the rerun.
