There was a wave of euphoria and relief across Europe following the election of pro-European liberal Nicusor Dan as Romania’s new president. Moldovan President Maia Sandu echoed the sentiment: “Congratulations,

President-elect Nicușor Dan held a phone conversation with Moldovan president Maia Sandu on Monday, May 19, reaffirming Romania's strong support for Moldova's European aspirations.  In a post on X following the call,

JPMorgan said on Monday that an election win by Romania's centrist Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan is reducing political risk ahead and that a sovereign ratings downgrade to below investment grade was now less of a concern.

The centrist mayor of Bucharest, Nicuşor Dan, is set to win Romania ‘s pivotal presidential election with 99 per cent of votes counted, according to official figures showing the pro-EU independent eight points clear of his far-right rival, George Simion.

Hard-right nationalist George Simion could win Romania’s presidential election run-off on Sunday – a vote being held five months after the original election was annulled.

The founder of the Telegram messaging app, Pavel Durov, said on Sunday he had refused a request by a Western government, which he did not name, to "silence" conservative voices in Romania ahead of a presidential election run-off there.

From presidential runoffs to snap parliamentary votes, these elections come at a time of heightened political tension, economic uncertainty, and shifting alliances within the European Union