Romanian centrist Nicusor Dan wins presidency over hard-right pro-Trump rival
Bucharest mayor made last-minute dash to top in recent days after weeks of trailing George Simion, who conceded defeat late on Sunday
Official results from nearly all voting stations showed Dan winning about 54 per cent of ballots cast by voters in the EU and Nato member country of about 19 million people, while Trump supporter George Simion was at 46 per cent.
Dan, a soft-spoken mathematician, made a last-minute dash to the top in recent days after weeks of trailing Simion, a Eurosceptic wanting to end military aid for Ukraine in its war with Russia. The election drew the highest percentage of voter turnout in a Romanian election in 25 years.
Simion, who was the top vote-getter in the first round of the election two weeks ago with 41 per cent of ballots cast, conceded defeat.
On Sunday evening in the capital Bucharest, Dan supporters chanted “Russia, don’t forget, Romania isn’t yours.”