Pro-EU or pro-Trump? Romania faces decisive choice in vote [Video]

Pro-EU Romania is facing a possible foreign policy shift, with a far-right leader — and fan of US President Donald Trump — topping the first round of a tense election rerun and now up against a centrist mayor for president.

While politicians opposed to Trump’s policies have won in Canada and Australia recently, George Simion, who leads the nationalist AUR party, came first on Sunday in Romania.

Simion will now face pro-EU Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan in the May 18 second round, which will be closely watched by Brussels and Washington.

The country, a NATO and European Union member of 19 million people, has gained in strategic importance since 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, which borders Romania. The president represents Romania at EU and NATO summits and can veto EU votes.

Campaigning on a promise to put Romania first, Simion, 38, has said he wants to increase defence spending and …