Romania, nationalist Simion ahead but it will be a runoff

Antonescu, supported by the governing coalition Psd-Pnl-Udmr, guarantees a line of continuity and institutional stability, while Dan, independent mayor of Bucharest and reformist, appeals to the young and urban electorate, presenting himself as the face of change and European integration.

The 'surprise Ponta', feared in the election campaign, did not happen: the former premier remained behind, out of the game. In the morning, Simion appeared at the polling station with Georgescu: "We are here with only one mission, the restoration of the constitutional order, the restoration of democracy," he said alongside the former candidate, who was ousted from the race by the judges after Russian interference was broadcast on TikTok. "I have no other goal than the first place for the Romanian people, whom I want to serve. We are here with only one desire, to do justice for Romania,' Simion insisted, also evoking the possibility of giving Georgescu the post of premier.

One of the first to congratulate was on X Matteo Salvini: 'In Romania, the people have finally voted, freely, with head and heart. With good peace to the 'lords' of Brussels and their dirty tricks. Bravo George Simion'.

"I am the only candidate who can ensure that the US troops remain in Romania, where they serve not only as allies, but also as a shield for our sovereignty and stability in the whole of Eastern Europe". This was said by the winner of the first round of the Romanian presidential elections, George Simion, according to a note from his staff.

Simion reiterated his firm commitment to NATO and the strategic partnership between the US and Romania, defining regional security as his top priority. He emphasised the importance of maintaining the American presence at Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania's strategic air base and the largest Nato base in Europe. "We need American and Nato troops on the ground, today, not tomorrow," he said.

Election day was marked by coordinated cyber attacks. The websites of the Interior and Justice Ministries and that of candidate Antonescu were hit by a DDoS attack, which temporarily disrupted their functioning.

The group NoName057(16), known for its cyber disruption actions in support of the pro-Russian narrative, claimed the attack on Telegram, claiming to have sent 'DDoS surprises' to institutional sites.

The National Cyber Security Directorate confirmed the incident, stating that at 2 p.m. all affected portals were operational again.

The episode is part of a context of hybrid pressure that has already seen Romania the target of tens of thousands of cyber attacks in recent months. In this climate, the first round saw a national turnout of 53.16%, a marked increase compared to the cancelled vote in November. Particularly significant was the mobilisation of the diaspora, where almost one million Romanians voted in the three days dedicated to the foreign vote: an absolute record figure, which could have a decisive weight especially in the definition of the second round.

Despite the media centrality of exit polls, their reliability is under scrutiny. According to analyses by independent institutes and journalists, about 50 per cent of the voters refused to state who they voted for, reducing the reliability of the projections.

A similar phenomenon had happened in November 2024, when the exit poll data turned out to be deeply flawed, contributing to the delegitimisation of the later annulled vote.Romania, from exit polls far-right candidate in the lead