The pro-European Union candidate in Romania’s tense presidential runoff has taken a lead in the polls in a closely-watched vote against a hard-right nationalist that could determine the geopolitical direction of the NATO member country. The race pitted front-runner George Simion, the 38-year-old leader of the hard-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, or AUR, against incumbent Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan. It was held months after the cancellation of the previous election plunged Romania into its worst political crisis in decades. After 8.5 million votes had been counted, Dan was ahead with 53.56%, while Simion trailed at 46.44%, according to official data.
