The pro-EU mayor of Bucharest has been elected as the new President of Romania in a shock upset over his Donald Trump-supporting rival.
Nicusor Dan pulled off a dramatic comeback against hard-right rival George Simion.
Dan won the second round of the election with more than 5.83 million votes and nearly 99 per cent of total votes counted, giving him an insurmountable lead over Simion.
Simion, a Eurosceptic who wanted to end military aid for Ukraine in its war with Russia, had spent months leading polls against Dan.
Presidential candidate Nicusor Dan talks in front of a polling station
Reuters
Nicusor Dan is set to be the new President of Romania
Reuters
Presidential candidate George Simion reacts to exit polls of Romania's second round of the presidential election
Reuters
Dan, 55, had campaigned on a pledge to fight rampant corruption, to maintain support for Ukraine - where Romania has played an important logistic role and to keep the country firmly within the European mainstream.
Speaking to local media, Dan said he wanted a new coalition government to include all four centre-right and centre-left parliamentary parties.
The former mathematician turned mayor of the Romanian capital acknowledged that he faces a tough challenge in finding a Prime Minister to negotiate a majority in parliament to reduce Romania's budget deficit - the largest in the EU - as well as to reassure investors and try to avoid a credit rating downgrade.
"There will be a difficult period ahead, necessary for economic rebalancing to lay the foundations of a healthy society. Please have hope and patience," Dan told supporters after exit polls were published showing him ahead.
Supporters of Presidential candidate Nicusor Dan react to exit polls
Reuters
Nicusor Dan speaks as he reacts to first exit polls of Romania's second round
Reuters
Ukrainian President Zelensky wrote on X: "For Ukraine — as a neighbour and friend — it is important to have Romania as a reliable partner,
"And we are confident we will. By working together, we can strengthen both our countries and our Europe."
The election took place nearly six months after the initial ballot was cancelled because of alleged Russian interference, denied by Moscow, in favour of far-right frontrunner Calin Georgescu, who was banned from standing again.
