The Constitutional Court of Romania has officially validated the results of the first round of the presidential elections held on May 4, 2025, rejecting a request for annulment filed by former candidate Sebastian-Constantin Popescu. This decision, made on May 9, 2025, confirms that the second round of elections will take place on May 18, 2025, featuring George-Nicolae Simion and Nicușor-Daniel Dan as candidates.
In a unanimous ruling, the judges of the Constitutional Court stated, "On May 9, 2025, during the review of the procedure for the election of the President of Romania, effectively exercising the competencies stipulated in the Constitution of Romania and considering the votes expressed in the first round of the 2025 presidential elections, the constitutional judges decided, with unanimous votes: to reject as unfounded the request to annul the elections for the position of President of Romania from the first round of voting on May 4, 2025, filed by Sebastian-Constantin Popescu; to confirm and validate the result of the elections for the position of President of Romania, in the first round of voting on May 4, 2025; to organize the second round of voting for the election of the President of Romania on Sunday, May 18, 2025, with Mr. George-Nicolae Simion and Mr. Nicușor-Daniel Dan participating, in this order."
The court's decision is final and binding, paving the way for the electoral campaign for the second round to officially commence. The campaign will allow voters to decide who will hold the presidency for the next five years.
According to data released by the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC), 9,571,899 voters participated in the first round, representing a turnout of 53.19% of registered voters. The results of the first round were as follows: George Simion, representing the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), received 3,862,761 votes, accounting for 40.96% of the valid votes. Nicușor Dan, an independent candidate, garnered 1,979,767 votes, or 20.99% of the total.
Popescu, who received only 25,994 votes (0.28%), filed his complaint with the Constitutional Court, citing a "violation of democratic principles" and alleging that voters were influenced during the campaign. He pointed to a manipulation campaign on social media, particularly on TikTok, similar to the one attributed to Călin Georgescu during the 2024 elections.
In the wake of the court's ruling, the BEC confirmed the official ballot paper for the second round, which will feature the names of the two candidates. The validation of the ballot allows the electoral campaign to officially begin, giving voters the opportunity to engage with the candidates and their platforms.
As the second round approaches, both Simion and Dan will need to mobilize their supporters and reach out to undecided voters. The stakes are high, as the winner will assume the presidency at a critical time for Romania, facing various challenges, including economic concerns and social issues.
In the first round, Crin Antonescu, representing the Romania Forward alliance, finished third with 20.07% of the votes, totaling 1,892,930. His performance will be analyzed as both Simion and Dan seek to capitalize on their respective support bases.
With the electoral landscape shifting, the upcoming debates and campaign activities will be crucial in shaping public opinion. The candidates will likely discuss their visions for Romania's future, focusing on key issues such as economic growth, healthcare, and education reform.
The validation of the election results comes amid heightened political tensions and public scrutiny over the electoral process. Popescu's allegations of manipulation have raised questions about the integrity of the election, prompting discussions about the need for electoral reform in Romania.
As the campaign progresses, voters will be looking for transparency and accountability from both candidates. The outcome of the second round will not only determine the next president but also signal the direction Romania will take in the coming years.
In summary, the Constitutional Court's validation of the first round results and the organization of the second round marks a significant moment in Romania's political landscape. With the election date set for May 18, 2025, the focus now shifts to the candidates as they prepare for a critical showdown that could define the future of the nation.
