The possible future president of Romania could be George Simion, the pro-MAGA candidate and “persona-non grata”in bothMoldova and Ukraine.
Six months ago, Romania’s elections were unprecedentedly annulled due to Russian interference and campaign fraud. Now, as Romanians prepare to cast their votes, another Eurosceptic nationalist candidate, George Simion, could become the country’s next president.
Results of the 2025 Presidential Election – First Round:
[1] Statista 2025 first round elections results
The far-right candidate George Simion won by a landslide, securing almost 4 million votes. Nicușor Dan, the current mayor of Bucharest, came in second. In contrast, Elena Lasconi, who won the annulled presidential round from November 2024, gained only 2.68% of the votes.
However, the success of both candidates was no surprise. As seen in the November 2024 elections, Romanians' electoral choices have increasingly moved beyond the traditional political parties.
Now, the race has become increasingly tense, with an outcome that could dramatically reshape Romania’s political future.
George Simion and Calin Georgescu
George Simion won a considerable number of votes due to his affiliation with Călin Georgescu, who was barred from running over alleged pro-Russian interests. Paradoxically, just six months ago, Georgescu’s discourse was full of scepticism towards Simion. Now, the two appear together at conferences, and Simion openly claims that Georgescu deserves to be Prime Minister. [2]
Simion’s promise to make Georgescu Romania’s next Prime Minister helped him secure victory, triggering alarms in Brussels, reinforcing fears about Russian sympathisers entering Romania’s future government. Romania’s strategic role in the war in Ukraine and in mediating Moldova’s EU integration could be put at risk with an eventual leadership of these two candidates.
Possible division within Eastern Europe
George Simion’s affiliation with the pro-Kremlin former candidate is not, however, what is most alarming in terms of the future relationship with Eastern Europe.
Simion’s dangerous territorial objectives include restoring pre-World War Two Romania. This includes areas of Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine. He is declared “persona non-grata” in the latter two countries. What will Romania’s future look like with a president banned from entering its neighbouring allies? [3]
Tensions exist between Hungary and George Simion too, generated by Simion’s mistreatment of the Hungarian minorities in Romania.
Interestingly, at first Viktor Orban endorsed Simion during the campaign. Following a call with Kelemen Hunor, leader of theDemocratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania he backed away from his previous statement. [4]
In the event of Simion’s election his territorial claims risk triggering a wider dispute with its neighbouring countries.
Campaign across Europe
In a desperate attempt to gain support from hard-right politicians across Europe, in the midst of the campaign, Simion went on a “European Tour”. He visited Poland, France, Brussels and Italy.
Simion’s MAGA appreciation was present at all times. As he said in his visit to Poland to Nawrocki, presidential candidate: “Together, we could become two pro-MAGA presidents”. [5]
Just days before the elections, heaccused French President Emmanuel Macron of “dictatorial tendencies” on a FrenchTV channel CNews. In supporting his concerning statement he said that France “lost its relationship with God” because they do not uphold traditional Christian values. [6]
Running away
But if George Simion had a significant political presence outside Romania, what about his political campaign inside the country?
It did not actually exist, or at least not in the traditional way of attracting voters between the two election rounds through debates.
Simion attended the first debate, which he seemed to lose to his opponent, Nicușor Dan. After that, for the entire past week, at every debate Nicușor Dan attended, Simion’s seat remained empty.
His motive? He claimed that the press was corrupt and conspiring against him. All while giving press releases to international outlets.
Sources:
[1]https://www.statista.com/statistics/1611858/romania-presidential-election-results-2025/
[2]https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/calin-georgescu-despre-george-simion-protejatul-meu-mai-tanar-ce-a-spus-despre-functia-de-premier-si-concedierea-bugetarilor-324044
[3]https://www.politico.eu/article/george-simion-romania-presidential-election-profile-ukraine/
[4]https://www.intellinews.com/orban-backs-away-from-far-right-romanian-presidential-candidate-simion-380525/
[5]https://www.codastory.com/polarization/when-anti-globalists-go-global-romanias-maga-revolution/
[6]https://www.politico.eu/article/romania-george-simion-accuse-emmanuel-macron-dictatorial-tendencies-france-iran-election-interference/