Thousands of people rallied in Bucharest, and other cities around Romania rallied in support of the European Union on Friday, days ahead of a presidential election run-off that could see a hard-right nationalist sweep to power.
George Simion won the first round of the presidential ballot on Sunday, and an opinion poll this week showed him ahead of centrist Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan for the May 18 run-off.
Simion, 38, is opposed to military aid to Ukraine, is critical of the EU leadership and is aligned with U.S. President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement.
Analysts say a Simion victory could isolate Romania, deter investment and weaken the EU and NATO’s eastern flank. Bucharest plays a key role in providing logistical support to Ukraine.
Some 15,000 people rallied in Bucharest, waving EU and Romanian flags and chanting, “Russia, don’t forget Romania is not yours” and “We want our country forward not backward.”
“Today, on Europe Day, we reflect on what Romania’s 18 years of EU membership have meant for our country: greater opportunities, better infrastructure, and the chance to thrive in a united Europe,” interim President Ilie Bolojan said on social media platform X.
Today, on #EuropeDay, we reflect on what Romania's 18 years of EU membership have meant for our country: greater opportunities, better infrastructure, and the chance to thrive in a united Europe. For the youth, it’s more than just movement—it’s about shaping a future of equality,… pic.twitter.com/vv4ocQPulY
— Ilie Bolojan (@Bolojan) May 9, 2025
In a Euronews televised debate on Thursday, Dan, 55, who’s been mayor of Bucharest since 2020, and is running as a centrist on an “Honest Romania” ticket, said he fully supports EU plans to arm itself. Simion suggested he would veto Brussels military aid to Ukraine and said Europe should depend on NATO for its own defense.
There were rallies in other cities. In the southwestern Romanian city of Timisoara, protesters held a banner reading “Better dead than fascist.”
