Romanian nationalist Simion seen ahead in election: exit polls

Presidential candidate George Simion walks holding a picture of Romanian holy icon of Protection of the Theotokos presented by a supporter outside a polling station during the country's first round of the presidential election, in Mogosoaia, Romania, May 4, 2025. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Eurosceptic George Simion appeared on course for victory in Romania's presidential election re-run on Sunday, exit polls showed, after a ballot seen as a test of the rise of Donald Trump-style nationalism in the European Union.

The polls showed former senator Crin Antonescu, 65, and Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, 55, tied in second place at about 21-23 percent, behind Simion's 30-33 percent.

Exit poll data does not include the sizable vote of Romanians abroad, where Simion and Dan are popular.

Simion, 38, opposes military aid to neighbouring Ukraine, is critical of the EU leadership and says he is aligned with the US president's Make America Great Again movement.

His victory, in a runoff due on May 18, could isolate the country, erode private investment and destabilise NATO's eastern flank, where Ukraine is fighting a three-year-old Russian invasion, political observers say.

Sunday's vote came five months after a first attempt to hold the election was cancelled because of alleged Russian interference in favour of far-right frontrunner Calin Georgescu, since banned from standing again.

Preliminary results are expected to start trickling in later on Sunday night.