Romania’s Presidential Runoff: A Nation at the Crossroads
Introduction
Romania’s 2025 presidential runoff marks one of the most consequential moments in the country’s post-communist history. The election pits George Simion, a hard-right nationalist and eurosceptic, against Nicușor Dan, the centrist, pro-EU mayor of Bucharest. This contest comes after a year of unprecedented political turmoil, including the annulment of the previous presidential election due to alleged foreign interference, the collapse of the pro-Western government, and a surge in populist sentiment. The outcome will determine not only the direction of Romania’s domestic and foreign policy, but also its role within the European Union and NATO at a time of mounting regional instability.
