Thousands rally in Romania in EU support ahead of presidential election run-off

10/5/2025 6:28

Thousands of people rallied in Romania's capital, Bucharest, and other cities in support of the European Union on Friday, one week before a presidential

election run-off that could see a hard-right eurosceptic sweep into power.



Hard-right nationalist George Simion won the first round of the presidential ballot on Sunday, and an opinion survey earlier this week showed him leading ahead of the May 18 run-off vote against centrist Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan.



Simion, 38, opposes military aid to Ukraine, is critical of the EU leadership and says he is aligned with U.S. President Donald Trump's Make America Great Again movement.



Analysts have said a Simion victory could isolate Romania, erode private investment and destabilise NATO's eastern flank, where Bucharest plays a key role in providing logistical support to Ukraine as it fights a three-year-old Russian invasion.