DATE

May 4th (first round), May 18th (possible second round) 

ELECTION TYPE

Presidential 

Background

  • Terms last for five years and presidents can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.
  • The president is the head of state in Romania and is the commander and chief of the armed forces. The president is also responsible for appointing new members of government, including the prime minister.
  • The president can send laws back to parliament for reconsideration, but they can do it only once. Parliament can also be dissolved by the president if no government is formed within 60 days of the first attempt and after two failed votes of confidence.
  • 11 candidates are currently running. A runoff election will be held if no candidate secures more than 50% support in the first round of voting. Only the two candidates with the most votes in the first round will be included on the ballot for the second round.

Main Contenders

  • George Simion, Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR)
    • Simion is a career politician and the candidate for the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR). With the banning of 2024 front runner Călin Georgescu from running in 2025, Simion has picked up most of the far-right votes in the absence of Georgescu. Simion has several controversial views, such as opposing more military aid to Ukraine and believing that Romania and Moldova should unify and become one country. Consequently, he is barred from entering both Ukraine and Moldova because of his views. Currently, Simion is leading in the polls with 29% of the vote.
  • Crin Antonescu, Coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the National Liberal Party (PNL), and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR)
    • Antonescu is a career politician, having served as interim president in 2012, and is considered the ‘establishment candidate’ this election. As the establishment candidate, Antonescu supports good relations with the EU and the U.S. He has the support of Romania’s current governing coalition of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the National Liberal Party (PNL), and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR). According to the most recent polling figures, he is projected to secure approximately 22% of the vote.
  • Nicușor Dan, Independent but supported by Save Romania Union (USR)
    • Dan is a mathematician, activist, and the current mayor of Bucharest. He founded the Save Romania Union (USR) in 2015 under a different name. Dan is currently running as an independent but has the support of the USR. Dan’s campaign focuses on combating corruption and the so-called real-estate mafia.’ In the polls, he is in a narrow third place with 20% of the vote.
  • Victor Ponta, Independent
    • Ponta is a career politician who served as Prime Minister from 2012 to 2015 when he resigned after a deadly fire led to anti-corruption protests that demanded resignations. Like George Simion, Ponta is considered a nationalist, pro-Russia, anti-EU candidate whose base includes former Georgescu supporters. He is currently polling at 12%.
  • Elena Lasconi, Independent
    • Lasconi used to be a journalist before becoming a politician. Part of her campaign promises include stronger relations with the EU and the U.S. Lasconi used to be the candidate for USR until the party dropped support for her in favor of Nicușor Dan. USR leaders dropped their support out of fear that Lasconi is not a strong enough candidate to take on Simion, and also out of fear of a runoff election with the two right wing candidates Simion and Ponta. Lasconi is currently polling at 8%.

Impact on U.S. Interests

  • The far-right candidates George Simion and Victor Ponta are running on a pro-Russia and anti-EU While neither Simion or Ponta has directly called for abandoning NATO, both candidates have advocated for a cessation of military aid to Ukraine and easing relations with Russia. A Simion/Ponta victory could see Russian influence turn Romania into an unpredictable and uncooperative NATO member. Romania is an important member of NATO for several reasons. It is one of the few countries that has reached the 2% of GDP military spending goal, it is home to a major NATO airbase along with an advanced U.S. Aegis missile defense system, but most importantly for NATO, Romania borders the Black Sea and Ukraine, meaning Romania is a major strategic hub for military operations including the transportation of military aid to Ukraine for its war against Russia.
  • A victory for Simion or Ponta could see Romania drift away from the west and towards the Russian sphere of influence. The potential consequences of a Simion/Ponta victory for Romania could be similar to Georgia’s trajectory following the ascendance of the Georgian Dream party which has resulted in gradual democratic erosion. This scenario could lead to widespread public unrest, similar to the aftermath of Georgia’s 2024 parliamentary elections, in which the Georgian government shared information about citizens with Russia and violently suppressed protests.

Key Issues to Watch

  • This election was called after the results of the 2024 presidential election were annulled. Romania's Constitutional court and authorities accused the front runner in the 2024 election, the far-right Călin Georgescu, of receiving funding and publicity from Russia, along with breaking electoral rules. After Georgescu led the first-round polls, the 2024 presidential election was annulled as a result and Georgescu was subsequently banned from running for office again in 2025. Georgescu has appealed his ban, but the ruling is unlikely to be overturned. The controversial decision has led to political tension and unrest not seen since 1989 when the ruling communist government was overthrown, with many Romanians questioning their faith in Romania’s democratic institutions.
  • The results of the election could be consequential for Romania’s relations with the EU and NATO. Both George Simion and Victor Ponta are far-right candidates with pro-Russia and anti-EU stances. If either were to win, Romania could drift firmly into the Russian sphere of influence and align themselves with the anti-EU Hungary at the European level.
  • Election results will be closely scrutinized both in Romania and around the world. After the banning of Georgescu, some Romanians speculate whether a Simion or Ponta victory would be accepted. This speculation has sparked fears of a constitutional or political crisis erupting once results are announced.

Polls