Latest news with #Pro-EU
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nicusor Dan sworn in as Romania's new president
Nicusor Dan was sworn in as Romania's president on May 26 in a formal ceremony before Parliament, pledging to be "a president open to the voice of society," Romanian news outlet Digi24 reported. Pro-EU centrist and then-Bucharest Mayor Dan won the Romanian presidential election on May 18, defeating the far-right, anti-Ukraine George Simion with 53.6% of the votes. During the ceremony, Dan took the constitutional oath with his hand on the Bible and the Constitution, vowing to serve the Romanian people and uphold the rule of law. In his address to lawmakers following the oath, Dan thanked citizens for their engagement in recent political debates, regardless of their stance. "Society has shown that it is alive and strong," Dan said, adding: "I invite you to continue your civic involvement and apply pressure on the Romanian state to reform." Dan's inauguration marks the end of the interim term of Ilie Bolojan, who had served as Romania's acting president since the resignation of President Klaus Iohannis in February. The inauguration was blessed by Patriarch Daniel, head of the Romanian Orthodox Church. Marian Enache, president of the Constitutional Court, confirmed the legitimacy of Dan's mandate, urging him to be "the president of all Romanians," including those who did not vote for him. Simion, head of the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians who has been banned from entering Ukraine, decided to contest his loss, filing an appeal to annul the election results with Romania's Constitutional Court. The court unanimously rejected the appeal as "unfounded." The election took place against the backdrop of Romania's previous presidential vote in November 2024, which was annulled after credible evidence of foreign interference, including pro-Russian disinformation efforts. That first round of the annulled election was won by ultranationalist Calin Georgescu, known for promoting conspiracy theories and questioning Ukraine's sovereignty. Dan's victory is seen as a positive signal for Romania's continued pro-Ukraine and pro-European direction. President Volodymyr Zelensky has already extended an invitation for Dan to visit Kyiv for high-level talks. Read also: Romania's new president faces daunting challenges after surprise victory over far-right upstart We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pro-EU centrist Nicusor Dan to be sworn in as Romania president
Photo: AP BUCHAREST: Pro-EU centrist Nicusor Dan on Monday will take the oath of office to become Romania's president, having pledged to stand against "isolationism and Russian influence". A week ago, Dan won a tense election rerun seen as key for the direction of the Nato and EU member country of 19 million people that borders war-torn Ukraine. The vote came five months after Romania's constitutional court, in a shock move, scrapped a presidential ballot over allegations of Russian interference and the massive social media promotion of the far-right frontrunner, who was not allowed to stand again. Although EU critic and nationalist George Simion easily topped the first round of voting, Dan took victory in the second round run-off. Dan, 55, is scheduled to take the oath of office in parliament at noon (0900 GMT). The former mayor of Bucharest will then meet interim president Ilie Bolojan -- who has been tipped as a possible prime minister. Dan, who has vowed to bring a "new chapter" to Romania, travelled to Warsaw on Sunday to support pro-EU Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, who hopes to win Sunday's race for the Polish presidency. "We won the Romanian presidential elections. People rejected isolationism and Russian influence," Dan told thousands of people at a Trzaskowski rally. 'Will resist' Tensions remain high in Romania with authorities on alert after calls to protest on Monday by hundreds of TikTok users. "We will resist!" Simion, 38, wrote on Facebook on Sunday, although he specified that he would not be protesting on Monday. Romania's constitutional court on Thursday validated the election results, after rejecting an appeal by Simion to cancel the vote. Simion alleges that there was foreign interference, including by France, and slammed the court's decision as a "coup d'etat". Simion comfortably topped the first-round ballot on May 4, campaigning against the EU's "absurd policies" and vowing to cut aid to Ukraine. But Dan won almost 54 percent of the run-off vote. Romania's president has significant sway in foreign policy -- including representing the country at NATO and EU summits -- and appoints key posts, such as the prime minister. Dan, a mathematics prodigy who has promised to fight corruption for an "honest" Romania, has said he would speak to all four pro-Western parliamentary parties about "not only the appointment of the prime minister, but also the outline of the government's programme", including justice reforms. Romanians are struggling with high inflation in the EU's most indebted country. Dan, who became mayor of Bucharest in 2020 and is known for his reserved nature, has voiced support for Ukraine and vowed to keep Romania on its "pro-Western" path.
DW
22-05-2025
- Politics
- DW
Romania: Top court rejects appeal to annul election results – DW – 05/22/2025
Romania's Constitutional Court confirmed Nicusor Dan's victory in the May 18 presidential election after rejecting a request by his far-right rival to annul the election results. Romania's Constitutional Court on Thursday validated the results of the presidential runoff vote, which was won by Nicusor Dan, the pro-European mayor of Bucharest. Prior to the ruling, the court unanimously rejected an appeal by his far-right rival, George Simion, who lost the race decisively on Sunday. Dan beat him with 53.6% of the vote in the runoff, winning by more than 829,000 votes. In the first-round vote on May 4, Simion won almost twice as many votes as Dan. Simion filed the request, alleging interference by France and Moldova. However, both election authorities and independent observers said the election was well organized. What did the president-elect say? The court then held a short ceremony attended by Dan, who is expected to be sworn in as president on Monday. "I want to thank the Romanian people who turned out in great numbers for the May elections and, in doing so, gave legitimacy to the new president," Dan said at the court. "A new chapter is beginning in Romania's recent and contemporary history. I want to assure Romanian citizens that I understand the responsibility of the mandate they have entrusted to me." The 55-year-old former mathematician and civic activist stressed that "many challenges" lie ahead in a deeply divided country, but he hopes that "we will successfully overcome all of them." Pro-EU Nicosur Dan wins Romanian presidential election To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Simion vows to fight on After his request for an annulment was rejected, Simion posted on Facebook that the court "has continued its coup d'etat!" "All we can do is fight! I invite you to join me, today and in the weeks to come!" he posted. Six months ago, the Constitutional Court canceled Romania's initial presidential election, in which the far-right outsider Calin Georgescu led after the first round. The unprecedented decision followed allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference, which Moscow denied. Georgescu was barred from taking part in the re-run. The election turmoil has plunged Romania into its worst political crisis in decades, exacerbated by the war in neighboring Ukraine and a substantial budget deficit. Edited by: Sean Sinico
DW
22-05-2025
- Politics
- DW
Romania: Top courts rejects appeal to annul election results – DW – 05/22/2025
Romania's Constitutional Court confirmed Nicusor Dan's victory in the May 18 presidential election after rejecting a request by his far-right rival to annul the election results. Romania's Constitutional Court on Thursday validated the results of the presidential runoff vote, which was won by Nicusor Dan, the pro-European mayor of Bucharest. Prior to the ruling, the court unanimously rejected an appeal by his far-right rival, George Simion, who lost the race decisively on Sunday. Dan beat him with 53.6% of the vote in the runoff, winning by more than 829,000 votes. In the first-round vote on May 4, Simion won almost twice as many votes as Dan. Simion filed the request, alleging interference by France and Moldova. However, both election authorities and independent observers said the election was well organized. What did the president-elect say? The court then held a short ceremony attended by Dan, who is expected to be sworn in as president on Monday. "I want to thank the Romanian people who turned out in great numbers for the May elections and, in doing so, gave legitimacy to the new president," Dan said at the court. "A new chapter is beginning in Romania's recent and contemporary history. I want to assure Romanian citizens that I understand the responsibility of the mandate they have entrusted to me." The 55-year-old former mathematician and civic activist stressed that "many challenges" lie ahead in a deeply divided country, but he hopes that "we will successfully overcome all of them." Pro-EU Nicosur Dan wins Romanian presidential election To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Simion vows to fight on After his request for an annulment was rejected, Simion posted on Facebook that the court "has continued its coup d'etat!" "All we can do is fight! I invite you to join me, today and in the weeks to come!" he posted. Six months ago, the Constitutional Court canceled Romania's initial presidential election, in which the far-right outsider Calin Georgescu led after the first round. The unprecedented decision followed allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference, which Moscow denied. Georgescu was barred from taking part in the re-run. The election turmoil has plunged Romania into its worst political crisis in decades, exacerbated by the war in neighboring Ukraine and a substantial budget deficit. Edited by: Sean Sinico
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Polish far-right leader sets terms for runoff endorsement
Photo: Youtube/SławomirMentzen Polish far-right leader Slawomir Mentzen set terms on Tuesday for a potential endorsement in the country's upcoming presidential runoff, whose nationalist and pro-EU candidates need to woo third-party voters to win. The multi-millionaire entrepreneur and co-leader of the far-right Confederation party scored nearly 15 percent in round one of the ballot on Sunday, a strong third place that puts him in a position to play kingmaker in the June 1 runoff. Pro-EU Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski won Sunday's election by a razor-thin margin, getting 31 percent against 30 percent for nationalist historian Karol Nawrocki. "I invite both candidates... for a chat on my YouTube channel. During each conversation I will ask them to sign a statement in line with the expectations of my voters," Mentzen said on X. "There's no better way to win over my voters than to appear on my social media channels... If you care about their votes, then come persuade them," he added. Mentzen linked to a video in which he ticked off the eight items contained in the declaration he has asked the candidates to sign. They notably include pledges to not sign any legislation that would raise taxes, ratify Ukraine's potential NATO membership or limit free speech. "Who knows, maybe I'll even decide to endorse one of you," Mentzen said, addressing the candidates. Nawrocki promptly wrote on X: "I accept the invitation and am ready to sign the statement's items." Trzaskowski did not immediately comment. An overall victory for Trzaskowski as head of state would be a boost for the centrist government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The former European Union leader's government has been at loggerheads with the current nationalist president, Andrzej Duda. A win for Nawrocki, a fan of US President Donald Trump, would probably extend the political deadlock in the Central European country of 38 million people. The two candidates have diverging views on abortion and LGBTQ rights. The election also comes at a fraught moment for Europe, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine drags on and ties with Washington are under strain.
