Far-right Gains in Romania Could Advance Kremlin Objectives

Excerpt:  “A far-right candidate, George Simion, won the first round of the May 4 presidential election in Romania. Simion’s first round victory comes after another far-right candidate, Calin Georgescu, won the November 2024 first round presidential election that Romanian authorities later annulled due to likely Russian interference. Simion has called for the cessation of Romanian aid to Ukraine and Romanian territorial expansion — policies that would support the Kremlin’s objectives in Ukraine and Kremlin narratives about Ukraine and Moldova. Simion, unlike Georgescu, has expressed support for Romania’s continued participation in a US-led NATO as a means of deterrence against possible future Russian aggression, however. Simion nevertheless continues to support Georgescu, stating that he would consider Georgescu for the prime minister position.”