On Sunday, May 4, 2025, Romanians headed to the polls for the first round of the presidential elections, marking a significant moment in the country's political landscape. According to preliminary results released by the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC), George Simion, the candidate from the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), emerged as the frontrunner, securing 3,846,954 votes, which translates to 40.92% of the total votes cast. Following him was independent candidate Nicușor Dan, who garnered 1,972,136 votes (20.98%).
The other candidates included Crin Antonescu, also an independent but supported by A.Ro, who received 1,890,310 votes (20.11%), and Victor Ponta, another independent, with 1,229,054 votes (13.07%). Elena Lasconi from the USR party managed to secure 312,000 votes (3.32%), while other candidates collectively received 123,577 votes (1.31%).
The voter turnout was notable, reaching 53.21%, with a total of 9,571,000 voters participating in the election. In the diaspora, over 973,000 Romanians cast their votes, with Simion receiving double the votes of Dan from abroad, particularly in Western European countries like Spain and France. Conversely, voters from the United States and Canada predominantly favored Nicușor Dan.
The second round of the presidential elections is scheduled for Sunday, May 18, 2025. As per the electoral calendar, the Constitutional Court of Romania is set to validate the results of the first round by May 9, 2025, and will officially announce the candidates who will compete in the second round.
After the partial results were announced, George Simion expressed his satisfaction, stating, "This is an important step for a sovereign and dignified Romania." Meanwhile, Nicușor Dan thanked his supporters for their trust, emphasizing the necessity of a campaign focused on concrete solutions to the country's problems. Crin Antonescu remarked, "It is clear that Romanians always know better who to vote for." Victor Ponta, who received just over 13%, announced that he would start campaigning for one of the two candidates advancing to the second round but did not specify whom he would support.
The counting of votes was closely monitored by the Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP), and real-time updates were provided by various media outlets. Reports indicated that a tight race was unfolding among Antonescu, Dan, and Ponta as the votes were being tallied.
As the election day progressed, voter turnout statistics were released at regular intervals. By 9:00 AM, turnout was at 6.42%, with 1,155,247 people having voted. The participation was divided between 817,728 votes from urban areas and 337,519 from rural regions. The gender distribution showed 532,373 women and 622,874 men participating in the electoral process.
By 10:00 AM, turnout had increased to 10.08%, with a total of 1,812,819 voters, while at 11:00 AM, it reached 14.35%, with 2,608,419 votes cast. The trend continued, with 19.46% turnout reported at noon, totaling 3,500,716 voters. As the afternoon progressed, turnout figures climbed steadily, reflecting a high level of engagement among the electorate.
At 1:00 PM, 4,386,753 individuals had voted, representing 24.39% of the total electorate. The numbers continued to rise, with 5,142,555 voters participating by 2:00 PM, indicating a turnout of 28.59%. By 3:00 PM, participation reached 32.34%, with 5,817,587 votes cast.
As the day advanced, voter turnout continued to build momentum. By 4:00 PM, turnout was reported at 35.57%, with 6,419,433 people having voted. This trend persisted, and by 6:00 PM, 7,836,511 voters had participated, marking a turnout of 43.44%. The final turnout at the close of polls at 21:00 was reported at 53.21%, with 9,571,675 individuals with voting rights having cast their ballots.
Remus Ioan Ștefureac, director of INSCOP Research, highlighted the significant role of the diaspora in this election, noting that 11% of the votes cast were from Romanians living abroad, a substantial increase from the previous year's 8.7%. He stated, "With the diaspora's pen, history will be written in the first round and, most likely, in the second round. A history that we will remember for generations."
The electoral process was not without its challenges, as reports of incidents related to electoral propaganda were recorded in Hunedoara County. The Operational Command, which oversees election-related missions, confirmed three potential electoral incidents occurred on the eve of the election.
As the results of the first round are finalized and the candidates prepare for the upcoming second round, the political landscape in Romania remains dynamic and charged with anticipation. With a high voter turnout and a diverse array of candidates, the elections have sparked significant public interest and debate about the future direction of the country.
