The European Policy Centre invites you to this online Elections Monitor to discuss the outcome and implications of the presidential election in Romania.
In the first round, held on 4 May, far-right leader George Simion, a supporter of US President Trump and opponent of military aid for Ukraine, finished first with 41% of the vote. In the runoff on 18 May, he will face the centrist Bucharest major Nicușor Dan, who secured 21% in the first round.
This election is being held after the Constitutional Court annulled the previous election last December, citing foreign interference in favour of far-right candidate Călin Georgescu, who came first in the first round. Georgescu was barred from running this time and is now backing Simion.
As a neighbour of Ukraine and Moldova, Romania, plays a critical strategic role for both the EU and NATO. This event will explore how the election outcome could affect EU foreign and security policy, and particularly support to Ukraine. It will also assess whether the outcome could undermine Romania’s European and Transatlantic commitments, as well as its broader implications for democracy, the rule of law, and the rise of the far-right within the EU.
Participation is open to EPC members only, the media, and EU officials