Exit polls indicate pro-EU candidate heading in Romanian presidential race
(MENAFN) Exit polls from Sunday evening indicate that Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan is leading in Romania’s presidential runoff election, ahead of his rival George Simion. Despite official results still pending, both candidates have already claimed victory.
According to data from Avangarde and CURS, Dan received just over 54% of the vote, while INSCOP placed him at 52%. Simion, a conservative and vocal EU critic, was reported to have secured between 45% and 48% across the three main polls. However, a fourth pollster, Sociopol, showed the race as too close to call.
These exit polls, based on responses collected from voters after casting ballots, do not include votes from Romanians living abroad—a segment that could prove decisive in the final tally.
Turnout for the runoff was significantly higher than in the first round held on May 4. The Romanian electoral authority reported that nearly 65% of eligible voters—around 11.6 million people—participated in the runoff, compared to 53% (9.5 million) in the first round. Over 1.6 million votes came from the diaspora, accounting for about 13% of all ballots cast.
Following the release of exit poll figures, Dan declared, “a community of Romanians who want a society of dialogue, not hate, has won.” Simion, on the other hand, took to social media to proclaim himself “the New President of Romania.”
Simion, who opposes EU centralization and military aid to Ukraine, won the first round with 40% of the vote—an outcome that contributed to the collapse of Romania’s pro-Western coalition government. During his campaign, Simion criticized Brussels’ influence and voiced support for former U.S. President Donald Trump, promising closer ties with Washington if elected.
Dan, a firm supporter of the EU and NATO, emphasized Romania’s strategic support for Ukraine and pledged to fight corruption while maintaining alignment with Western institutions.
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