The front-runner in Romania’s presidential election, George Simion, accuses the current government of attacking democracy and says he is the only candidate who hasn’t been tainted by holding power

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.

BUCHAREST (Reuters) -Romanian hard-right candidate George Simion was ahead in a presidential election first round, followed by centrist candidate Crin Antonescu, an exit poll showed on Sunday. A separate exit poll put Simion in first place and centrist candidates Antonescu and Nicusor Dan neck and neck in second.

Romania faces a wave of online disinformation ahead of a presidential election runoff this month in which the hard-right looks poised for victory, election observers and analysts say.

Romania's previous presidential election was cancelled over allegations of campaign fraud and Russian interference.

Romania's presidential race has entered a pivotal phase after a stunning first-round result on Sunday, May 4, 2025. George Simion , leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), has emerged on top,