Evenimentul "Un singur drum: EUROPA" organizat in Bucuresti de mai multe asociatii din societatea civila, in Bucuresti, 9 mai 2025. Inquam Photos / Tudor Pana
The U.S. Helsinki Commission has urged Romania to ‘ensure free and fair elections and protect against outside interference’ in this weekend’s presidential runoff, a choice between remaining in the Western camp or following a more isolationist path.
“Romania is a core NATO ally on the critically important Eastern Flank. Romanian support for Ukraine and Moldova against Russian aggression is greatly appreciated. This Sunday, the Romanian people will go to the polls to choose the future of their sovereign and independent country,” said Co-Chairman Representative Joe Wilson and Ranking Member Representative Steve Cohen in a statement.
“We urge the Romanian people to choose freedom and deepen their relationship with the United States. We also call on Romanian authorities to ensure free and fair elections and protect against outside interference.”
Nationalist frontrunner George Simion faces pro-European Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan in a tightly contested race that is down to the wire. The two candidates have radically different visions for Romania. Dan wants Romania to move closer to European integration and continue support for Ukraine, while Simopm favors a more independent and isolationist path in line with Hungary’s Viktor Orban.
Frontrunner Simion, 38, is critical of the EU’s leadership and says he is aligned with U.S. President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again movement.
Romania cancelled presidential elections last year after intelligence reports revealed foreign interference from Russia and other states artificially inflated outsider Calin Georgescu into first place.
The Helsinki Commission is a US government commission that promotes human rights, military security, and economic cooperation across Europe, Eurasia, and North America.
