Among the leading candidates in Romania’s presidential race, incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and the leader of the far-right opposition party AUR, George Simion, have the best chance of reaching the second round.
According to an opinion poll conducted by the sociological company INSCOP, Social Democrat leader Ciolacu could win 25.3% of the vote in the first round, while George Simion, leader of the Alliance for the Unification of Romania (AUR), would come in second with 19.1%.
The first round will take place on November 24, the second round on December 8, and the parliamentary elections between the two rounds on December 1.
Ciolacu strongly supports Ukraine and its membership in the EU and NATO. Simion opposes aid to Ukraine, especially military aid.
George Simion is a prominent Russophile and alleged Russian agent who advocates a ‘Greater Romania’ that would include the Ukrainian regions of Izmail and Chernivtsi. Simion’s far-right views have led to his ban from Moldova, where he regularly organises street rallies advocating for Moldova’s integration with Romania. Simion is also banned from Ukraine, where he was declared persona non grata in 2011 after meeting with an FSB agent in Chernivtsi. Simion faced another ban from entering Ukraine in 2021, which lasted until March 2024.
Needless to say Russia is attempting to meddle with and influence electoral processes in Europe, including Romania’s impending elections.
