Romanians celebrate as liberal mayor Dan defeats nationalist rival Simion in tense presidential race: Video

Romania has elected Liberal mayor Nicuşor Dan as its next president, defeating a prominent nationalist challenger, George Simion, in a race that many say will define the country’s democratic future.

Nicuşor Dan, the current mayor of Bucharest and a former civil society activist, secured 53.6% of the vote in the second round, after a campaign centred on anti-corruption, EU integration, and urban development, defeating George Simion, leader of the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), who garnered 46.4%.

The victory has been widely celebrated by pro-democracy advocates, especially among younger and urban voters who view Dan as a symbol of transparency and progressive leadership.

Celebrations broke out in the streets of Bucharest and other major cities late Sunday night, May 18, with crowds waving Romanian and European Union flags, chanting Dan’s name and calling for a “new Romania.” Many supporters see his presidency as a turning point that could reverse years of political stagnation and nationalist rhetoric.

"I am happy, confident and optimistic for the next five years. Romanians have united, mobilised and voted massively in the direction that I consider to be the right one, the direction of the European Union, the direction of freedom, and they have not allowed themselves to be carried away by this sovereigntist wave that has risen in recent months," Maria Achim, a student told AFP during the celebration rally.

The runoff witnessed a historic voter turnout of 64.72%, the highest since 1996, with over 11.6 million votes cast, reflecting the high stakes of a race widely seen as a referendum on Romania’s future on the international stage.