BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Nicusor Dan, the former civic activist and pro-European Union centrist politician who defied the odds to decisively defeat a hard-right nationalist in Romania’s critical presidential race, has emerged as a counterforce to the right-wing populist wave sweeping across Europe.

Ultranationalist George Simion was the favorite in Romania’s runoff, but concerns over the country’s future sparked record turnout. Pro-EU Nicușor Dan’s win brings relief to Brussels and Kyiv.

But Romania's growth has steadily slowed since a post-pandemic bounce in 2021, and the European Commission forecasts its budget deficit at 8.6% this year and 8.4% in 2026, well above the government's 7% 2025 target outlined in a seven-year EU-approved plan.