Romanians choose nationalist candidates in the presidential election campaign

Romanians choose nationalist candidates in the presidential election campaign

On Sunday, the Romanians chose in the first round of a presidential election, which the Hardline Euroskeptic candidates George Simion could bring to power. This choice will be a test for the rise of a donald-trump/" Target = "_ Blank"> Donald Trump

George Simion's political views

Simion, 38 years old, speaks against military support for neighboring Ukraine, criticizes the management of the EU and is of the opinion that he is with the movement "Make America Great Again" by the US President Donald Trump matched.

Occupation and first votes

five months after the original election date, which was canceled due to alleged Russian interference in favor of the Far-Right top candidate Calin Georgescu, who has now been declared unattended, Simion now leads the surveys and benefits from a Wave of the anger of the population .

to 07:10 GMT had given around 1.98 million Romanians, i.e. 11% of the registered voters, their votes. The choice ends at 9 p.m. (6:00 p.m. GMT), followed by survey results and a first count that is expected in the course of the evening.

Simion and Georgescu

Simion gave up his voice together with Georgescu, who described the election as "fraud" and asked people to get their country back. While dozens of voters sing "Calin for President", Simion explained that his voice was "to restore democracy".

Simion is around 30% in surveys, which gives him a comfortable lead, but is far from the 50% required to avoid a runoff election on May 18th.

"George Simion is Calin Georgescu, he gets my voice," said Aurelia, 66 years old, a pensioner who did not want to give her last name. She felt "humbly" treated by the cancellation of the first round in November and asked the question: "Where are my children? Did you go abroad because it was so good here?"

political analysis

Political analysts warn that a final victory for Simion is isolating the country, undermining private investments and destabilizing the eastern flank of NATO, where Ukraine had been against a Russian invasion fights.

Simion's main competitor are two centers: the former Senator Crin Antonescu, 65, supported by the three parties of the current pro-Western government, and the mayor of Bucharest Nicusor Dan , 55, which runs as an independent on an anti-corrupt platform. Both are pro-EU and Pro-Nato and support Ukraine.

Maga-like guide in the region

Simion is not the only MAGA-related politician who strives for presidential elections in Central Europe. Karol Nawrocki Presidential candidate, met Trump this week and will start on May 18th.

An election victory by Simion would expand the series Euroskeptic leader, which already include the Hungarian and Slovak Prime Minister. "Romania and Poland are two important countries for the United States," emphasized Simion to Reuters.

The role of the Romanian president

The President of Romania has a semi-executive role, which includes command of the armed forces and the chair of the security council, which decides on military support. So far, Romania has donated a Patriot air defense battery to Kiev, has been training Ukrainian pilots and has enabled the export of around 30 million tons of Ukrainian grain to Constanta.

In addition, the President has the authority to vote important EU votes and appoint the Prime Minister as well as senior judges, prosecutors and bosses of the secret services.

The Trump administration has accused Romania of suppressing the political opposition and lacking democracy values after the election in November was canceled on what Vice President JD Vance described as "weak evidence".

A team of US Observance this Sunday in Bukarest, Together with diplomats and monitors from dozens of countries.