Nicusor Dan, the pro-European Union candidate and incumbent mayor of Bucharest, triumphed in a closely watched presidential runoff in Romania, defeating hard-right nationalist George Simion. The election was viewed as a geopolitical referendum, reflecting Romania's stance towards the EU. With a notable voter turnout of 64%, Dan garnered 54.19% of the votes, a significant increase from earlier polls where Simion led. Dan's victory is seen as a repudiation of nationalist sentiments in favor of further integration with Europe, emphasizing a community-focused approach to governance.
Dan stated that "elections are not about politicians" but about communities, emphasizing that in this election, "a community of Romanians has won, wanting a profound change in Romania."
Despite being a frontrunner, Simion's hard-right, nationalist views were ultimately rejected by voters seeking a pro-European Union direction, with Dan gaining significant ground in the final vote.
In the runoff, voter turnout reached 64%, indicating strong civic engagement, particularly among Romanians abroad, which played a crucial role in Dan's victory over Simion.
Nicusor Dan's victory signals a clear preference among Romanian voters for EU integration and a shift away from nationalistic politics, which gained traction earlier in the election season.
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