**Romania Heads to Historic Presidential Runoff as Populist and Pro-EU Candidate Are Neck-and-Neck**
In a shocking turn of events, Romania is on the brink of electing its next president in a historic runoff between far-right candidate George Simion and liberal pro-European Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan. The two candidates are neck-and-neck in the latest polls, with Simion leading by 0.8% according to one poll, while another puts him ahead by 4%.
The runoff comes after a first-round election on May 5, where Simion took the lead with 41% of the votes, followed closely behind by Dan with 21%. The National Liberal Party, the Social Democrat Party, and the Hungarian minority UDMR formed a coalition to support their common candidate Crin Antonescu, who came third with 20% of the vote.
**A Nation Seeking Change**
Romania is in dire need of change, and both candidates are running on an anti-establishment platform. However, their views on the country’s future couldn’t be more different. Simion, leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), has been endorsed by Russia-friendly nationalists, while Dan, a liberal pro-EU candidate, has gained support from the Save Romania Union (USR) and the Hungarian minority party UDMR.
**The Economic Fallout**
The first-round election saw the national currency, the leu, plummet to historic lows against the euro and dollar. The Romanian Central Bank’s billion-euro effort to stabilize the national currency was met with failure, leaving many wondering what a Simion victory would mean for the country’s economy.
**A Simion Victory: What It Would Mean**
If Simion were to win, it could lead to a prolonged electoral dispute, according to political scientist Cristian Preda. The candidate has vowed to organize snap elections and sack members of the Constitutional Court who canceled the Nov. 24 presidential elections due to malicious foreign influence.
A Simion victory would also isolate Romania within the EU, said Craciun. He believes that Simion would use his presidency as a pressure group within the EU, delaying initiatives such as military aid to Ukraine.
**The Impact on Relations with Ukraine and Moldova**
Simion’s position on the war in Ukraine has raised eyebrows. The candidate has emulated banned Russian-linked Calin Georgescu, saying that Romania should remain neutral and not provide military aid to its neighbor. This stance may garner support from those who are frustrated with market disruption caused by cheap Ukrainian grains passing through Romania.
However, post-communist Romania has never had a president openly supported by Russia until Georgescu and Simion. Kremlin ideologist Alexandr Dugin has already hailed Simion’s success as “Georgescu’s win” and a chance for Russia.
**What’s Next?**
The runoff election on June 7 will be a nail-biting affair, with many wondering which candidate will emerge victorious. Will it be the populist Simion or the liberal pro-EU Dan? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Romania needs change, and the country’s future hangs in the balance.
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