BUCHAREST — Romania’s Constitutional Court has officially validated the results of the country’s presidential election held on May 18, rejecting an appeal by far-right candidate George Simion. The ruling confirms the victory of centrist candidate Nicușor Dan, who won with 53.6% of the vote — a margin of over 829,000 ballots.
Simion, the leader of the nationalist Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), had filed a formal challenge alleging voter fraud and foreign interference, including claims that ballots had been cast in the names of deceased citizens. The court found no evidence to support these accusations and issued a unanimous ruling that is final and not subject to appeal.
Independent election observers also affirmed the integrity of the vote, describing the process as free and fair. The court is expected to formalize the validation in a ceremony with President-elect Dan in attendance.
This presidential election came just six months after a previous vote was annulled due to concerns over external interference, primarily linked to Russian influence campaigns. That crisis triggered significant political instability, including the collapse of the then-governing Social Democratic coalition.
Nicușor Dan’s victory has been widely welcomed by Romania’s European partners, with many viewing it as a return to a pro-Western, reform-oriented political path. The new president has pledged to rebuild public trust in Romania’s democratic institutions and to strengthen the country’s commitments within the European Union and NATO.
George Simion, despite initially claiming victory on election night, later accused the court of participating in what he described as a “coup.” He vowed to continue challenging the legitimacy of the result and maintain political pressure through his movement.
Dan is expected to be sworn in next week, after which he will begin forming a new government. His agenda is likely to focus on institutional reforms, judicial independence, and bolstering national security amid ongoing regional tensions.
The court’s decision marks a turning point in Romania’s post-crisis recovery and reaffirms the resilience of the country’s democratic processes.