[ad_1]
Exit polls from the Romanian presidential election suggest pro-Western centrist Nicusor Dan is on course for a surprise win over hard-right populist George Simion.
Mr Simion and his rival – who is currently Bucharest’s mayor – are facing off in the second round of elections.
Exit polls placed Mr Dan strongly ahead by 54.9% to 45.1%.
However, Trump-supporting Mr Simion has already rejected his apparent loss and said estimates put him 400,000 votes ahead.
Voting began at 7am (5am UK time) and ended at 9pm (7pm UK time).
Romania’s last election was annulled six months ago after the country’s highest court ruled the leading candidate, nationalist Calin Georgescu, should be disqualified due to allegations of electoral interference by Russia.
The result is surprising because in the first round earlier this month, 38-year-old Mr Simion, founder of the right-wing Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) party, took 40.96% of the vote – almost 20 points ahead.
Mr Dan is running as an independent and has pledged to clamp down on corruption.
He is also staunchly pro-EU and NATO, and has said Romania’s support for Ukraine is vital for its own security.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
[ad_2]
Source link