The Romanian Constitutional Court has unanimously validated the results of the first round of the presidential elections held on May 4, 2025, confirming the legitimacy of the electoral process and dismissing a request for annulment put forth by candidate Sebastian-Constantin Popescu of the New Romania Party.
On Friday, May 9, 2025, the court ruled that the request to annul the elections was unfounded, thus ensuring that the results from the first round stand. This decision was made during a session aimed at upholding the electoral procedures established by the Romanian Constitution. The court stated, "In the day of May 9, 2025, within the control for respecting the procedure for the election of the President of Romania, conferring effectiveness to the powers enshrined in the Constitution of Romania and taking into account the vote expressed in the first round of the presidential elections in 2025, the constitutional judges decided, with unanimity of votes: the rejection as unfounded of the request to annul the elections for the office of President of Romania from the first round of voting on May 4, 2025, filed by Sebastian-Constantin Popescu; confirmation and validation of the result of the elections for the office of President of Romania, within the first round of voting on May 4, 2025," as transmitted by the CCR.
The Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) had previously announced the final results of the first round on May 6, 2025. According to the BEC, a total of 9,571,899 voters participated, representing 53.19% of the registered voters on the permanent electoral lists. Of these, 9,430,274 votes were validly cast, accounting for 98.52% of the total votes cast, while 141,388 votes were deemed null, making up 1.48%.
Among the candidates, George-Nicolae Simion from the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) led with 3,862,761 votes, which is 40.96% of the valid votes. Nicușor-Daniel Dan, running as an independent candidate, followed with 1,979,767 votes, or 20.99%. Crin Antonescu, representing the 'Romania, First!' electoral alliance, garnered 1,892,930 votes, equating to 20.07%.
The court's decision also confirmed that the second round of voting for the presidential election will take place on Sunday, May 18, 2025, featuring George-Nicolae Simion and Nicușor-Daniel Dan as the final candidates. The court's resolutions are definitive and binding, ensuring that the electoral process continues smoothly.
According to Romanian electoral law, any request for annulment of elections can be filed by political parties, electoral alliances, and candidates who participated in the elections, within three days of the voting closure. The request must be substantiated and accompanied by evidence supporting the claims. The Constitutional Court addresses such requests before the public announcement of the election results, underscoring the importance of integrity in the electoral process.
In this case, the court found no evidence of fraud that would necessitate the annulment of the elections, thereby reinforcing public confidence in the electoral system. As the second round approaches, the candidates will likely ramp up their campaigns to secure votes from the electorate.
As the political landscape in Romania evolves, the results of the first round and the upcoming second round are pivotal moments for the country's democratic process. The engagement of over half of the registered voters in the first round indicates a significant interest in the electoral process, and the upcoming campaign will be crucial in shaping the future leadership of Romania.
With the electoral campaign for the second round officially commencing, both candidates are expected to address key issues affecting the Romanian populace, including economic challenges, social policies, and international relations. The results of this election will not only determine the next president but also influence the direction of Romania's policies in the years to come.
