With the Romanian presidential election finally …

Despite ultra-nationalist George Simion, of the AUR party, claiming victory earlier on, Nicusor Dan, the progressive mayor of Bucharest who ran as an independent, looks set to be Romania’s next president, taking 53.82 percent of the second-round vote. Simion came in at 46.18 percent. 

“Russia, don’t forget that Romania is not yours!” shouted thousands, chanting Nicușor Dan’s name outside his campaign headquarters, according to the Transtelex news portal.

Dan told his supporters: “Today’s election was won by a community of Romanians who want profound change in Romania, the functioning of state institutions, the reduction of corruption, a thriving economic environment, a community that wants a society of dialogue and not hatred.”

Prominent Fidesz politician Zsolt Németh posted the result on his Facebook with the text “All’s well that ends well!” Hungarian security policy expert and writer Attila Demko posted “Thank God!” while also warning: “Simion is 39 years old, this is just the beginning for him.”

“Romania is not only not bankrupt, but it is in a very bad economic situation, much worse than Hungary’s. Whatever new government comes, it will be in a bad situation, severe austerity will follow,” Demko added.

Meanwhile, Hunor Kelemen, president of the Hungarian Democratic Alliance in Romania (RMDSZ), wrote on Facebook: “I congratulate Nicușor Dan from the bottom of my heart! Hungarians voted for the new president of Romania in very large numbers, both here and across the border. I am delighted with the result and very proud of our community! We have proven once again: In difficult times we come together, we can count on each other.” 

Kelemen said the high turnout of Transylvanian Hungarians in Sunday’s final round demonstrated just how significant this election was for Hungarians in Romania. The Hungarian people of Transylvania felt the significance, weight, dangers, and opportunities of this election, he told HírTV.

The leader of the Hungarian ethnic party added that he believes the majority of them voted for Dan, in line with the recommendation of the RMDSZ. 

In Háromszék, Gyergyó, Csík, and Udvarhelyszék, turnout was even higher than in the parliamentary elections last December, Kelemen said, noting that this will give great legitimacy to the next president.