Romania’s Presidential Election: George Simion leads first round with 40.9%

The first round of Romania’s presidential election concluded with George-Nicolae Simion emerging as the frontrunner, securing 40.96% of the vote, according to official results.

Simion, leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), received 3,862,390 votes, nearly double the count of his closest rivals. Nicușor-Daniel Dan followed with 20.99% (1,979,461 votes), closely trailed by George-Crin-Laurențiu Antonescu, who garnered 20.07% (1,892,875 votes).

Former prime minister Victor-Viorel Ponta came in fourth with 13.05% (1,230,143 votes), while Elena-Valerica Lasconi, representing a newer political force, captured 2.68% (252,688 votes).

Since no candidate surpassed the 50% threshold required for an outright victory, the top two candidates — George Simion and Nicușor Dan — will advance to a runoff. The second round will determine the country’s next president at a time when domestic economic challenges, EU relations, and regional security issues remain high on the public agenda.