Centrist Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan has won a place in the tightly contested and controversial redo of Romanian presidential elections where he will meet a nationalist who is highly critical of the EU and wants to halt military aid to Ukraine.
Mr. Dan, 55, who ran on an “Honest Romanian” candidate was running behind the pro-European government candidate, Crin Antonescu, but as votes came in late Sunday, he overtook Antonescu. Dan is popular with Romania’s overseas voters who tend to have a poor view of government candidates, such as Antonescu.
“I’m in the runoff. Thank you!” he told voters.
Antonescu conceded the race. “The votes spoke, the people spoke. I am leaving this challenge with my head held high. The vote of the people must be respected,” Antonescu said, shortly after midnight.
Mr. Dan, a mathematician, will meet far-right George Simion in the May 18 runoff. Mr. Simion, 38, was way ahead of other candidates with about 40% of the vote, not enough to win outright.
Mr. Simion is the favorite to win the runoff, and Mr. Dan will struggle to defeat him.
A total of 11 candidates ran for president.
Get out and vote, or we’ll be out of the European Union and NATO
