Nationalist George Simion wins Romania’s first round with help from TikTok, rural voters and Trump

Far-right presidential candidate George Simion surged to first place with 41% of the vote in a re-run vote widely viewed as a referendum on the country's political future. His closest rivals — Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan (21%) and veteran liberal Crin Antonescu (20%) — trailed by wide margins.

The run-off, set for May 18, will see him face off against the pro-EU Bucharest mayor in a vote that will determine whether Romania continues along its pro-European course or pivots toward a nationalist model anchored in Simion’s hardline rhetoric and admiration for Donald Trump.

From fringe to front-runner

Romanians went to the polls last November in what was supposed to be a routine presidential vote. But after Romania’s intelligence services warned that Russian had interfered in a vote that propelled far-right outsider Călin Georgescu to victory – he won despite polling in the single digits ahead of the election – Romania took the unprecedented decision to annul the election and hold another.

Moscow denied the allegations of interference, but Georgescu was disqualified from running again.  

Georgescu’s disqualification left a political vacuum on the nationalist right — one quickly filled by Simion, who had endorsed Georgescu at the time and absorbed much of his disaffected base.

Simion’s Alliance for the Union of Romanians had already made headlines in 2020 by securing parliamentary seats just a year after its formation. However, his impressive performance in the presidential rerun marks its shift from protest movement to mainstream political force, largely driven by rural mobilisation and a strategic use of social media.

'A great TikToker'

While establishment candidates focused on traditional media, Simion’s campaign flooded TikTok with dozens of videos daily, often filmed in rural settings. Many featured fiery monologues, flag-waving backdrops and anti-Brussels messaging.

His videos outperformed his rivals’ in views and shares during the final week of campaigning, according to social media monitors. 

Simion’s campaign also benefited from meme pages and nationalist influencers who helped spread his message in formats tailored to a younger, disillusioned audience. Videos often portrayed him as a relatable, honest and down-to-earth figure challenging the elites.

"If he wasn't a politician, he would have been a great TikToker," one comment read.

TikTok, under extra scrutiny since last year’s disinformation controversies, said it removed over 27,000 fake accounts linked to Simion and Georgescu and formed a Romanian election task force to combat manipulation.

Rural strongholds

But Simion's appeal reached far beyond social media. He swept economically struggling rural regions, where discontent with unemployment and state neglect runs deep. Many voters saw him as the only candidate speaking to their frustrations.

He often cast himself as the voice of Romanian farmers, claiming he defends "those who want to work but are mocked" by the system. 

"At least he talks to people," said 56-year-old Marius Valeriu, a farmer who backed Simion.

Historian Jacques Rupnik said the vote revealed a deep divide. "There’s the Romania of big cities, which are more prosperous, with a better-educated population that is familiar with Europe," he said. "And then there is the Romania of small towns, economically less developed, with a rural population. That's where the nationalist rhetoric comes in."

Simion’s campaign focused on reclaiming sovereignty, including promises to nationalise farmland and strategic sectors.

Make Romania great again ?

Oana Popusco, director of the GlobalFocus Center in Bucharest, noted that "the dynamics mirror the dynamics of the United States". 

"People want to take back control," she explained. "They want to feel that they really have agency when they send elected representatives to high position of power."

The resemblance with the US does not end there. Donning a "Make America Great Again" cap at rallies, Simion has branded himself Romania’s "MAGA president", tapping into the rising tide of American-inspired populism across Europe.

"We are a Trumpist party which will govern Romania and which will make Romania a strong partner in NATO and a strong ally of the United States," Simion told foreign media shortly before polling stations closed.

His rhetoric has caught the attention of Washington, which has increasingly weighed in on Romania’s political futures. In February, US Vice President J.D. Vance condemned the annulment of Georgescu’s first-round victory, while White House adviser Elon Musk repeatedly criticised Romanian authorities on his social media platform X.

Read moreGeorge Simion, the hard-right nationalist who wants to make Romania great again

The road to May 18

With no candidate passing the 50 percent threshold needed to avoid a run-off, attention now turns to the May 18 second round. Analysts say Simion faces a tougher challenge if centrist voters consolidate behind Dan.

"All the polls had predicted Simion in the first round," Rupnik said. "But it’s far from certain he’ll win overall."

Turnout will play a pivotal role. In the first round, just over 9.5 million voters participated, representing 53.2 percent of eligible voters. For Dan, mobilising urban and diaspora voters will be essential. After the first round, he called for a democratic coalition, stressing that the vote represented "the trust of Romanians and our partners".

Analysts warn a Simion victory could decisively shift Romania’s foreign policy and its commitment to democratic institutions, including how it behaves as an EU member.

“In the pro-democratic camp, there’s a fear that Romania could turn towards [nationalist, far-right premier Viktor] Orban’s Hungary,” Popusco said. "There would be less support for Ukraine, more MAGA-aligned interests and a potential democratic backsliding."

Simion, in a speech posted shortly after the polls closed, struck a defiant tone. "The Romanians have risen,” he said, adding: “The people want their country back."