Eastern European correspondent
EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCKWhen Romania’s presidential election was invalidated at the end of last year after the claim for Russia’s interference, extreme conspiracy theorists were blocked in the highest job.
Many Romanians were deeply relieved. Many people were angry and voted stolen.
But six months later, the country returned to the ballot box and another hard Euro -smeptick is running for the president.
George Simion won a big margin in the first round of the new election on May 4. Former soccer casual nationalist politicians are confronting Nicusor Dan, a free market for Bucuresti.
Romania, a member of NATO and the European Union (EU), is a vote that can be seen sharply in Europe’s mainstream.
The two candidates voted on Sunday morning, and SIMION voted in the future, saying, “We must decide only for Romanians, Romanians and Romania.”
DAN told reporters that he would vote for “cooperation with European partners, not Romania’s isolation.”
Polls are too close to calling.
Teleorman County has been one of the poorest areas in Romania and has been social democracy for many years. But earlier this month, 57%of the voters chose SIMION for the president in their first vote.
The entry of the region, which drives for hours southwest of Bukkurestee, is announced in a green letter on the rusty metal arches on the main road.
The streets are not a campaign poster for candidates, but a wild population. There is no obvious sign of the election.
But the phone of social media feed people is full of political content.
The latest clips for viral virus are characterized by embroidered tower, prayer and bears of folk fantasy, and slogan “I choose Romania.”
Aperio Intelligence’s Felicia Alexandru explains the surge in national support for the right candidate in the first round was “semi -system, half -off vote.”
For more than 30 years, the same parties who dominate politics have been frustrated and frustrated with corruption.
“People are so dissatisfied with what happened in high levels of politics,” Felicia said.
The protest vote is not limited to the poorest or the most dissatisfied person.
Comalat Dairy Firm is not recognized in the Petre Filip released 25 years ago.
At the time, he started to drive a round farm that bought milk in Dacia at 05:00 every day. Then every evening, he delivered cheese and yogurt produced by three workers to his customers.
His old packaging machine is now standing in the lobby that reminds me of the early days. However, PETRE later received 15 million euros (£ 1.3 million; $ 17m) to modernize and expand his business with EU funds. It is money he never needs to repay.
The businessman showed off the production line of sparkling metal machines in several rooms, “Really, it was really good for us.”
He hires more than 50 employees.
Mihaela staff says, “I like George Simion.” Mihaela staff presses the liquid from a large mass of the cut cheese while announcing it as a smile.
She rarges her shoulders when mentioning Brussels’ fear.
Mihaela replies, “He is on the side of the Romanians. He is for people. To create a job and a better life.”
SIMION talks a lot about “making Romania greatly” and repercuss on American MAGA politicians. He has the same isolated approach: Romania is first in everything.
He called Russian President Vladimir Putin as an invasion of Ukraine when he was pushed.
But like Donald Trump, he also promised KYIV to end his military aid and made it unclear the future of Ukraine’s important grain exports through Romania.
SIMION was forbidden for requesting territory to be part of Romania in Ukraine and Moldova.
In his recent explosion this week, he called the election opponent as “autism, a poor person.”
He also accused President Emmanuel Macron for “dictatorship.”
Philip said Zion said, “It’s too impulsive to be a president,” he said to be a president led by hormones, not his brain.
But he feels too disillusioned with the entire scene that tends to not vote at all.
On the roads of Ro iniori de vede, they are also discussing and worried about the election.
ROXANA operates a factory that creates factories, including military in other EU countries.
Her customer is wondering if Romania will vote for the “Pro Russia” president.
“They want to know if the order is safe!” She laughed.
ROXANA yourself plans to mention Nicusor, your name.
She is also deeply confused by her calling her “Hooligan” action.
ROXANA recalls the candidate’s insult this week, saying, “It’s a bad image for Romania in Europe.
In another recent event, Zion threatened to sexually assault a female MP that calls her a pig.
ROXANA mentioned the competition that DAN won in the 1980s, saying, “Compare with the winner of the International Mathematics Olympiad, he received a Ph.D. from Sorbonne.
Ahead of the second round, Roxana and her friend Andrea participated in grassroots initiatives to support DAN.
Andrea said, “I tried to say why SIMION’s plan was impossible, but I don’t think I was successful.”
“I see people speaking online and I really believe in SIMION and think he will shake everything and destroy the system.
“They are all bad, but not.”
Her candidate, DAN, is highly emphasized by pro -EU and Pro Nato, and his campaign slogan is “honesty.”
“I do not promise a miracle,” he is his humble election vow. “But I promise to fight.”
If the fight fails and Zion wins, he will not be the only difficult candidate at the forefront of Romanian politics.
Most of its support is from people who voted in Calin Georgescu, a fringe figure who won the first election in November before being canceled on the national security site.
The two have often appeared side by side, including today’s vote. SIMION promised to create Prime Minister Georgescu if it was elected.
Given that he is charged with the benefits of “large -scale” and “aggressive” by Moscow, it is unclear how it can work.
Roxana said, “If Simion wins, there will be confusion in politics from Monday.
“The problem is whether he stays in the shadow of GeorgeScu or whether he completely changes his point of view.” Felicia agrees.
“Is this a campaign strategy, or do he believe?”
