European leaders congratulate Bucharest’s pro-EU mayor Nicușor Dan on presidential election victory
Pro-EU independent candidate Nicușor Dan, the mayor of Bucharest, has won Romania’s presidential election on May 18, drawing congratulations from leaders across Europe. Among them, Moldovan president Maia Sandu, EU leaders Ursula von der…
Irina Marica · Journalist
· Updated · 4 min read
Pro-EU independent candidate Nicușor Dan, the mayor of Bucharest, has won Romania’s presidential election on May 18, drawing congratulations from leaders across Europe. Among them, Moldovan president Maia Sandu, EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa and Roberta Metsola, French president Emmanuel Macron, and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky.
Dan secured 53.60% of the vote in the second round, defeating George Simion of the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), who received 46.40%, according to data from the Permanent Electoral Authority. More than 11.6 million Romanians cast their votes in the decisive round.
Maia Sandu, the president of the neighboring Republic of Moldova, was among the first to offer congratulations.
“Congratulations, Romania! Congratulations, Nicușor Dan! Romania, we are moving forward together with confidence on the European path! The Republic of Moldova and Romania rely on each other — in good times and bad,” she said in a message on social media. “The whole world sees the strength we have when we are united!”
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen also praised Dan’s victory as a vote for an “open, prosperous Romania in a strong Europe.” She added, “Together, let’s deliver on that promise.”
My warmest congratulations to @NicusorDanRO on his victory tonight! The Romanian people have turned out massively to the polls. They have chosen the promise of an open, prosperous Romania in a strong Europe. Together let’s deliver on that promise. Looking forward to working… — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 18, 2025
European Council president Antonio Costa echoed that sentiment, calling the election a strong signal of Romania’s commitment to the European project and expressing hope for future cooperation. Costa also wrote in Romanian: “Sincere felicitări.”
From city hall to the table of the European Council. Sincere congratulations to @NicusorDanRO for winning the Romanian Presidential elections. This is a strong signal of Romanians’ attachment to the European project. I look forward to working with you for a better Europe and a… — António Costa (@eucopresident)
