Romanian presidential election: George Simion, far-right candidate, largely ahead in the first round

When the polls closed at 9 p.m., the leader of the nationalist AUR party was credited with 30 to 33 percent of the vote, ahead of the candidate of the pro-European coalition in power, Crin Antonescu, who was neck and neck with the mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan (between 21 and 23 percent).

"Together we have written a page of history today," the winner reacted in a video message broadcast at his party headquarters in front of supporters chanting "Out with the thieves, long live the patriots."

During the campaign, George Simion brandished his youth, his sovereignist rhetoric, and his mastery of the TikTok platform in the hope of avenging his now-ally Calin Georgescu (a former senior official accused by his detractors of being pro-Kremlin, Editor's note). While the MP denies any pro-Russian leanings, he shares the same aversion for "Brussels bureaucrats" and opposes any military support for Kyiv. Whether in markets or abroad, to win over the large diaspora, this Donald Trump fan dreams of becoming a "MAGA president" (Make America Great Again, Editor's note).

The suspense is intense, as the gap is so narrow between the candidate of the pro-European government coalition, Crin Antonescu, and the mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan, who has promised to fight "corruption." Further behind (around 15%) is former Social Democratic Prime Minister Victor Ponta, who had opted for a Trumpian-tinged speech tinged with references to God.