logo
Romania gets new pro-European president

Romania gets new pro-European president

The Advertiser20-05-2025
A pro-European Union centrist has pulled off an upset win in Romania's presidential election, beating out a hard-right nationalist who had channelled people's anger at the political establishment to surge in the polls.
But the new leader now must contend with deep societal divisions that the tense vote laid bare.
Final results from Sunday's presidential race showed Nicusor Dan winning 53.6 per cent of the vote, ahead of the hard-right candidate George Simion, who during the campaign portrayed his movement as championing conservative values like patriotism, sovereignty and the family, and who styled himself as the Romanian analogue to US President Donald Trump.
The victory for the pro-EU candidate marked a significant comeback in a tense election that many viewed as a geopolitical choice for the former Eastern Bloc country between East or West.
But as Dan, a 55-year-old mathematician, pro-Western reformist and mayor of Bucharest, takes over Romania's presidency, fault lines remain in the country where endemic corruption, inequality and an erosion of trust in traditional institutions and parties have fuelled a broad rejection of the political establishment.
Dan's decisive win was a major turnaround from the first round of elections on May 4, where Simion — a nationalist who has advocated for uniting Romania with neighbouring Moldova and is banned from entering Ukraine — had nearly double Dan's share of votes to become the clear front-runner for the second round.
Simion's surge to prominence came after Romania's first attempt to hold the presidential election late last year in which far-right outsider Calin Georgescu topped first-round polls. The country's political landscape was upended after a top court voided the ballot, alleging electoral violations and Russian interference.
While Simion was considered the favourite for the second round, a high voter turnout of 64.7 per cent in the ballot — more than in any Romanian election of the past quarter-century — is thought to have benefited Dan.
Adding to the high turnout were approximately 1.6 million votes from members of Romania's large diaspora, which is primarily concentrated in Western Europe.
Speaking to ecstatic supporters in the early hours of Monday following his victory, Dan struck a reformist tone, saying Romania was beginning "a new chapter, and it needs every one of you".
As a member of the EU and one of the easternmost members of the NATO military alliance, Romania plays a pivotal role in Western security infrastructure — especially since Russia's full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in February 2022.
After that invasion, NATO bolstered its presence on Europe's eastern flank by sending additional multinational battlegroups to Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovakia, and Bucharest has played an increasingly prominent role in the alliance, donating a Patriot missile system to Ukraine and opening an international training hub for F-16 jet pilots from allied countries.
A pro-European Union centrist has pulled off an upset win in Romania's presidential election, beating out a hard-right nationalist who had channelled people's anger at the political establishment to surge in the polls.
But the new leader now must contend with deep societal divisions that the tense vote laid bare.
Final results from Sunday's presidential race showed Nicusor Dan winning 53.6 per cent of the vote, ahead of the hard-right candidate George Simion, who during the campaign portrayed his movement as championing conservative values like patriotism, sovereignty and the family, and who styled himself as the Romanian analogue to US President Donald Trump.
The victory for the pro-EU candidate marked a significant comeback in a tense election that many viewed as a geopolitical choice for the former Eastern Bloc country between East or West.
But as Dan, a 55-year-old mathematician, pro-Western reformist and mayor of Bucharest, takes over Romania's presidency, fault lines remain in the country where endemic corruption, inequality and an erosion of trust in traditional institutions and parties have fuelled a broad rejection of the political establishment.
Dan's decisive win was a major turnaround from the first round of elections on May 4, where Simion — a nationalist who has advocated for uniting Romania with neighbouring Moldova and is banned from entering Ukraine — had nearly double Dan's share of votes to become the clear front-runner for the second round.
Simion's surge to prominence came after Romania's first attempt to hold the presidential election late last year in which far-right outsider Calin Georgescu topped first-round polls. The country's political landscape was upended after a top court voided the ballot, alleging electoral violations and Russian interference.
While Simion was considered the favourite for the second round, a high voter turnout of 64.7 per cent in the ballot — more than in any Romanian election of the past quarter-century — is thought to have benefited Dan.
Adding to the high turnout were approximately 1.6 million votes from members of Romania's large diaspora, which is primarily concentrated in Western Europe.
Speaking to ecstatic supporters in the early hours of Monday following his victory, Dan struck a reformist tone, saying Romania was beginning "a new chapter, and it needs every one of you".
As a member of the EU and one of the easternmost members of the NATO military alliance, Romania plays a pivotal role in Western security infrastructure — especially since Russia's full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in February 2022.
After that invasion, NATO bolstered its presence on Europe's eastern flank by sending additional multinational battlegroups to Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovakia, and Bucharest has played an increasingly prominent role in the alliance, donating a Patriot missile system to Ukraine and opening an international training hub for F-16 jet pilots from allied countries.
A pro-European Union centrist has pulled off an upset win in Romania's presidential election, beating out a hard-right nationalist who had channelled people's anger at the political establishment to surge in the polls.
But the new leader now must contend with deep societal divisions that the tense vote laid bare.
Final results from Sunday's presidential race showed Nicusor Dan winning 53.6 per cent of the vote, ahead of the hard-right candidate George Simion, who during the campaign portrayed his movement as championing conservative values like patriotism, sovereignty and the family, and who styled himself as the Romanian analogue to US President Donald Trump.
The victory for the pro-EU candidate marked a significant comeback in a tense election that many viewed as a geopolitical choice for the former Eastern Bloc country between East or West.
But as Dan, a 55-year-old mathematician, pro-Western reformist and mayor of Bucharest, takes over Romania's presidency, fault lines remain in the country where endemic corruption, inequality and an erosion of trust in traditional institutions and parties have fuelled a broad rejection of the political establishment.
Dan's decisive win was a major turnaround from the first round of elections on May 4, where Simion — a nationalist who has advocated for uniting Romania with neighbouring Moldova and is banned from entering Ukraine — had nearly double Dan's share of votes to become the clear front-runner for the second round.
Simion's surge to prominence came after Romania's first attempt to hold the presidential election late last year in which far-right outsider Calin Georgescu topped first-round polls. The country's political landscape was upended after a top court voided the ballot, alleging electoral violations and Russian interference.
While Simion was considered the favourite for the second round, a high voter turnout of 64.7 per cent in the ballot — more than in any Romanian election of the past quarter-century — is thought to have benefited Dan.
Adding to the high turnout were approximately 1.6 million votes from members of Romania's large diaspora, which is primarily concentrated in Western Europe.
Speaking to ecstatic supporters in the early hours of Monday following his victory, Dan struck a reformist tone, saying Romania was beginning "a new chapter, and it needs every one of you".
As a member of the EU and one of the easternmost members of the NATO military alliance, Romania plays a pivotal role in Western security infrastructure — especially since Russia's full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in February 2022.
After that invasion, NATO bolstered its presence on Europe's eastern flank by sending additional multinational battlegroups to Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovakia, and Bucharest has played an increasingly prominent role in the alliance, donating a Patriot missile system to Ukraine and opening an international training hub for F-16 jet pilots from allied countries.
A pro-European Union centrist has pulled off an upset win in Romania's presidential election, beating out a hard-right nationalist who had channelled people's anger at the political establishment to surge in the polls.
But the new leader now must contend with deep societal divisions that the tense vote laid bare.
Final results from Sunday's presidential race showed Nicusor Dan winning 53.6 per cent of the vote, ahead of the hard-right candidate George Simion, who during the campaign portrayed his movement as championing conservative values like patriotism, sovereignty and the family, and who styled himself as the Romanian analogue to US President Donald Trump.
The victory for the pro-EU candidate marked a significant comeback in a tense election that many viewed as a geopolitical choice for the former Eastern Bloc country between East or West.
But as Dan, a 55-year-old mathematician, pro-Western reformist and mayor of Bucharest, takes over Romania's presidency, fault lines remain in the country where endemic corruption, inequality and an erosion of trust in traditional institutions and parties have fuelled a broad rejection of the political establishment.
Dan's decisive win was a major turnaround from the first round of elections on May 4, where Simion — a nationalist who has advocated for uniting Romania with neighbouring Moldova and is banned from entering Ukraine — had nearly double Dan's share of votes to become the clear front-runner for the second round.
Simion's surge to prominence came after Romania's first attempt to hold the presidential election late last year in which far-right outsider Calin Georgescu topped first-round polls. The country's political landscape was upended after a top court voided the ballot, alleging electoral violations and Russian interference.
While Simion was considered the favourite for the second round, a high voter turnout of 64.7 per cent in the ballot — more than in any Romanian election of the past quarter-century — is thought to have benefited Dan.
Adding to the high turnout were approximately 1.6 million votes from members of Romania's large diaspora, which is primarily concentrated in Western Europe.
Speaking to ecstatic supporters in the early hours of Monday following his victory, Dan struck a reformist tone, saying Romania was beginning "a new chapter, and it needs every one of you".
As a member of the EU and one of the easternmost members of the NATO military alliance, Romania plays a pivotal role in Western security infrastructure — especially since Russia's full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in February 2022.
After that invasion, NATO bolstered its presence on Europe's eastern flank by sending additional multinational battlegroups to Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovakia, and Bucharest has played an increasingly prominent role in the alliance, donating a Patriot missile system to Ukraine and opening an international training hub for F-16 jet pilots from allied countries.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Russian oil ‘bound for Australia'
Russian oil ‘bound for Australia'

Perth Now

time23 minutes ago

  • Perth Now

Russian oil ‘bound for Australia'

A tanker purportedly full of Russian oil is set to dock in Western Australia within days, despite sanctions being in place against Moscow, Ukrainian and anti-Russian oil campaigners According to DFAT, the 'import, purchase or transport' of several goods is prohibited 'if they were exported from, or originated in, Russia'. That includes oil and petroleum products. The ship Seferis left Sika in India two weeks ago full of oil from the Jamnagar refinery, and it is due to arrive in the outer-Perth suburb of Kwinana by 4am Sunday. The Jamnagar refinery is notoriously fed by Russian crude oil, with as much as 55 per cent of their 2025 stock coming from the European pariah. This means the imported oil, which originated in Russia, could end up fuelling Australian vehicles on the road. Anti-Russian oil campaigners allege this ship is full of covertly imported Russian oil Credit: Supplied The alarm has been raised about a 'loophole' that allows Russian oil to be bought and sold in Australia, with local campaigners and parliamentarians calling for immediate action. Independent federal MP Andrew Wilkie raised the issue in Question Time on Thursday, asking the Defence Minister Richard Marles 'Why are the loopholes in our sanctions so big you can drive a tanker through them?' 'In July, two vessels reportedly docked in Botany Bay, with some 175,000 tonnes of petrol from the Jamnagar refinery in India, which uses up to 55 per cent Russian oil,' Mr Wilkie said. 'So these vessels effectively carry some 90,000 tonnes of Russian-sourced petrol, paid for by Australians, which will help fund Putin's war in Ukraine.' Independent MP Andrew Wilkie questioned the government about the 'loophole'. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Marles largely avoided the question instead focusing on the sanctions that had been put in place. 'Sanctions, which is the topic of the question the member has asked, is an important part of what we are putting in place to stand with Ukraine,' Mr Marles said. 'And our government will stand with Ukraine. 'I know the Australian people will stand with the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes for Ukraine to resolve this conflict on its terms.' The loophole has recently been closed in the European Union, which has banned the importation of petroleum products refined form Russian crude oil in its 18th sanctions package against Russia. Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles defended Australia's sanctions. NewsWire / Simon Bullard. Credit: News Corp Australia The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations has urged Australia to take similar action. 'This decisive action closes a glaring and deeply exploited loophole that has allowed Russian crude to enter global markets through refineries in third-party countries – undermining sanctions and fuelling the Kremlin's war machine. 'We urge the Australian government to take similar action and close this loophole in Australia's own sanctions regime. 'Since February 2023, Australia has imported an estimated $3.7bn worth of Russian crude, as a component in refined petroleum products from Indian refineries – sending around $1.8bn in tax revenue to the Kremlin. 'This flow of profits directly helps fund Russia's brutal war against Ukraine.'

Tanker carrying Russian oil set to dock in WA despite sanctions, campaigners say
Tanker carrying Russian oil set to dock in WA despite sanctions, campaigners say

News.com.au

timean hour ago

  • News.com.au

Tanker carrying Russian oil set to dock in WA despite sanctions, campaigners say

A tanker purportedly full of Russian oil is set to dock in Western Australia within days, despite sanctions being in place against Moscow, Ukrainian and anti-Russian oil campaigners According to DFAT, the 'import, purchase or transport' of several goods is prohibited 'if they were exported from, or originated in, Russia'. That includes oil and petroleum products. The ship Seferis left Sika in India two weeks ago full of oil from the Jamnagar refinery, and it is due to arrive in the outer-Perth suburb of Kwinana by 4am Sunday. The Jamnagar refinery is notoriously fed by Russian crude oil, with as much as 55 per cent of their 2025 stock coming from the European pariah. This means the imported oil, which originated in Russia, could end up fuelling Australian vehicles on the road. The alarm has been raised about a 'loophole' that allows Russian oil to be bought and sold in Australia, with local campaigners and parliamentarians calling for immediate action. Independent federal MP Andrew Wilkie raised the issue in Question Time on Thursday, asking the Defence Minister Richard Marles 'Why are the loopholes in our sanctions so big you can drive a tanker through them?' 'In July, two vessels reportedly docked in Botany Bay, with some 175,000 tonnes of petrol from the Jamnagar refinery in India, which uses up to 55 per cent Russian oil,' Mr Wilkie said. 'So these vessels effectively carry some 90,000 tonnes of Russian-sourced petrol, paid for by Australians, which will help fund Putin's war in Ukraine.' Mr Marles largely avoided the question instead focusing on the sanctions that had been put in place. 'Sanctions, which is the topic of the question the member has asked, is an important part of what we are putting in place to stand with Ukraine,' Mr Marles said. 'And our government will stand with Ukraine. 'I know the Australian people will stand with the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes for Ukraine to resolve this conflict on its terms.' The loophole has recently been closed in the European Union, which has banned the importation of petroleum products refined form Russian crude oil in its 18th sanctions package against Russia. The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations has urged Australia to take similar action. 'This decisive action closes a glaring and deeply exploited loophole that has allowed Russian crude to enter global markets through refineries in third-party countries – undermining sanctions and fuelling the Kremlin's war machine. 'We urge the Australian government to take similar action and close this loophole in Australia's own sanctions regime. 'Since February 2023, Australia has imported an estimated $3.7bn worth of Russian crude, as a component in refined petroleum products from Indian refineries – sending around $1.8bn in tax revenue to the Kremlin. 'This flow of profits directly helps fund Russia's brutal war against Ukraine.'

Anthony Albanese decries Israel's denial of Gaza aid to starving civilians
Anthony Albanese decries Israel's denial of Gaza aid to starving civilians

7NEWS

time4 hours ago

  • 7NEWS

Anthony Albanese decries Israel's denial of Gaza aid to starving civilians

The prime minister has decried Israel's denial of aid to starving civilians but stopped short of following France's lead in recognising a Palestinian state. In a strongly worded statement, Anthony Albanese said the situation in Gaza, where the vision of emaciated children has become the norm, had 'gone beyond the world's worst fears'. 'Israel's denial of aid and the killing of civilians, including children, seeking access to water and food cannot be defended or ignored,' he said on Friday. 'Every innocent life matters. Every Israeli. Every Palestinian.' But the Australian government will not immediately join France in recognising Palestinian statehood after the European nation became the largest Western power to signal it would make the announcement. Albanese instead said recognising the 'legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a state of their own' was a bipartisan position. 'Australia is committed to a future where both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples can live in peace and safety, within internationally-recognised borders,' he said. 'Until that day, every effort must be made here and now to safeguard innocent life and end the suffering and starvation of the people of Gaza.' Ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation, have collapsed after the former nation and the US withdrew from talks. Albanese also urged Israel to comply with its obligations under international law. With aid being throttled at the border and all entry points to Gaza controlled by Israel, former USAID official Jeremy Konyndyk said Australia and the other nations must do more as the situation in Gaza was 'purely a political famine'. 'Nothing about this is natural or organic — it's 100 per cent man-made,' the Refugees International president told ABC Radio. 'We are at — if not past — a tipping point. 'All coping mechanisms that the population use have been exhausted, people are beginning to just drop dead of hunger.' The Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which began operations in May, has been accused of obstructing operations by the United Nations and other aid groups, and putting starving Palestinians in danger. According to Konyndyk, its aid packages were small and insufficient and the foundation's facilities were located far from population centres. 'By design, the people seeking aid from these facilities have to go through areas that are extraordinarily dangerous, that bring them into direct proximity to (Israeli army) forces who have fired on them almost every single day that the GHF has been in operation,' he said. 'The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is a farce.' Israel, which began letting in only a trickle of supplies to Gaza in recent months, has previously blamed Hamas for disrupting food distribution and accused it of using stolen aid to fund its war effort. While the coalition said it had 'strong concerns' about the worsening humanitarian situation, opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash said it was disappointing the prime minister's statement did not place any blame on Hamas. 'Any moral outrage about the situation in Gaza should be directed at Hamas,' she said. Israel has enforced a complete embargo on humanitarian aid and medical supplies for almost three months after a ceasefire deal broke down earlier in 2025. In recent months, more than 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid, many of whom were shot by the Israeli military, UN sources have found. Israel's military offensive has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to health authorities in Gaza. Its military campaign was launched after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking 251 hostages. The prime minister also condemned the 'terror and brutality' of Hamas and repeated calls for the release of the remaining hostages.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store