Romanian Court Rejects Defeated Presidential Candidate’s Call to Annul Election

George Simion, a conservative, had alleged that the vote had been subjected to meddling by France and Moldova.

George Simion, leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians, walks with former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki (R), after filing his candidacy to participate in the country's presidential election rerun in May, in Bucharest, Romania, on March 14, 2025. Vadim Ghirda/AP Photo

Defeated Romanian presidential candidate George Simion had his request to annul the recent election thrown out by the country’s Constitutional Court on May 22.

The leader of the conservative Alliance for the Unity of Romanians had filed the request in Bucharest on May 21, alleging that the May 18 ballot had been interfered with by France and Moldova, which both denied meddling in Romania’s politics.

The court unanimously rejected his motion, paving the way for his rival, the independent centrist mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan, to be sworn into the role on May 26.

The court described Simion’s challenge as unfounded and officially validated the election result later on May 22.

“The Constitutional Court has continued the coup d'etat by rejecting our appeal,” Simion wrote on X after the verdict.

“Only thing left for us is to keep fighting.”

Electoral authorities and independent observers had earlier said the election was well-organized, and Simion himself initially conceded defeat late on polling day, writing on X, “We may have lost a battle, but we will certainly not lose the war.”

The May 18 election was held months after a previous poll—in which conservative outsider Calin Georgescu won the first round—was voided by the same court that threw out Simion’s appeal following allegations of electoral fraud and Russian interference.

Moscow has denied meddling in Romania’s politics.

Georgescu was prohibited in March from taking part in this year’s rerun election.

Simion finished fourth in last year’s nixed ballot before throwing his support behind Georgescu.

He then capitalized on Georgescu’s support in the rerun, which saw him win the first round on May 4 in a landslide, coming first out of 11 candidates, with Dan finishing a distant second to clinch his place in the runoff.

However, in the second round, Dan, who is pro-European Union, took 53.6 percent of the vote to Eurosceptic Simion’s 47.4 percent and won by a margin of more than 829,000 votes.

Following the validation of the election by the court on May 22, Dan described his position as “an honor and a great responsibility.”

“The massive vote on May 18 shows that Romanians believe in change and demand the reform of the institutions that have disappointed them,” he wrote on X.

“I promise to be a president who defends democracy, fundamental rights, and the rule of law. I will work resolutely to ensure that every citizen feels protected, respected, and free.

“We have a duty to build a stronger, fairer, and united Romania. Thank you for your trust!”

As a member of the EU and one of the easternmost members of NATO, Romania plays a pivotal role in Western security infrastructure, especially since Russia’s full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine in February 2022.

In Romania, the president has a semi-executive role that includes commanding the armed forces and chairing the security council that decides on military aid.

He can also veto important EU votes that require unanimity and appoint the prime minister, chief judges, prosecutors, and secret service heads.

Attitudes toward support for Kyiv were a key factor in the election, with Dan vociferously believing that it should continue and Georgescu indicating that he would vote to veto any further EU aid for Ukraine.

In words that will have been welcomed by NATO and the EU, Dan told a security conference on May 22 before the court had validated the election result: “It is certain that Romania will keep its pro-Western direction.

“Romania has not been sufficiently active in any of these structures [EU, NATO], but to be active, you must have credibility. Romania must strengthen itself and be more active.”