Romania’s Pro-EU Prime Minister Resigns as Far-Right Candidate Leads Presidential Race

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu resigned on May 5, 2025, after his coalition’s candidate, Crin Antonescu, finished third in the first-round presidential vote. Nationalist leader George Simion (38) won decisively with 40.96% of votes, nearly double his runoff opponent, pro-EU Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan (20.99%).

Simion, whose Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) opposes military aid to Ukraine, campaigns under a “Melonisation of Europe” slogan inspired by Italy’s far-right government. He promises to appoint Călin Georgescu—a Moscow-linked figure barred from the rerun election due to alleged Russian interference—as prime minister if elected.

The May 18 runoff pits Simion’s sovereigntist agenda against Dan’s pro-Western platform. Experts warn Dan faces an uphill battle due to fragmented mainstream support. A Simion victory could align Romania with EU disruptors like Hungary and Slovakia, straining NATO unity. Romania currently hosts Ukrainian grain exports and has donated a Patriot battery to Kyiv.