In Romania, the far right is still the favorite in the new presidential election
The first round of the presidential election in Romania, scheduled for this Sunday, May 4, following the cancellation of the December vote, will take place under the specter of a victory for the far-right, led by George Simion, leader of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians. The Romanian press deplores the skeletons in the closet of the pro-European candidates.
Dramatically canceled last December, after the shock first-round victory of sovereignist candidate Calin Georgescu, accused of pro-Russian leanings, this remake of the presidential elections in Romania promises to be just as incredible. If the latest polls relayed by Euronews Romania are correct, George Simion, of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), will be in the second round on May 16. A fervent supporter of Donald Trump, and known for his provocative statements on the interruption of support for Ukraine and Romania's withdrawal from NATO, the leader of the far-right movement, at 29%, would have a three-point lead over Crin Antonescu, the candidate of the ruling PSD-PNL-UDMR coalition.
But Antonescu is not certain to qualify, points out the Romanian counterpart of the Euronews franchise. For the moment, Nicusor Dan, independent candidate and mayor of Bucharest, is close behind him at 23%. Then come former Prime Minister Victor Ponta, with 8%, and Elena Lasconi (7.5%), of the USR (Save Romania Union) party, who decided to withdraw her support (and funding) in favor of Nicusor Dan, the mayor of Bucharest. Lasconi had, however, reached the second round of the previous election, canceled in December.
Courrier International
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