The independent candidate in the Romanian presidential run-off, Nicusor Dan, received 54.9% of the vote, while the candidate of the Alliance for the Reunification of Romanians (AOR), Giorgi Simion, won the confidence of 45.1% of voters.

This is according to an exit poll by AVANGARDE agency.

The data is valid as of 19:00 and only for polling stations in Romania, excluding polling stations abroad.

Simion said he had won the presidential election, although the exit poll results showed Nicusor Dan as the winner, Radio Free Europe reported.

"According to our calculations," Simion said, "the difference between me and my competitor would have been over 400,000 votes."

"I will be the president of all Romanians, so I will be your president. Thank you to the millions of people who made victory possible. This is the victory of a man who should have been the president of Romania, this is the victory of Calin Giurgescu," he added. 

Earlier on May 18, Romania's foreign ministry said that the country had taken measures against Russian interference in the election process.

"During the presidential elections in Romania, we again see signs of Russian interference. A viral campaign with fake news on Telegram and other social networks aims to influence the electoral process. This was expected and the authorities have removed the fake news," wrote Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Crnia in X.

The Interior Ministry announced the removal of more than 160 TikTok accounts that illegally used insignia, names or graphic elements related to the Romanian police or other ministry structures.

A record turnout was recorded in the second round of the presidential elections, with 62.74% of eligible voters having gone to the polls by 8pm.

11 286 075 voters had cast their ballot - 9 687 477 in Romania and 1 598 598 abroad.

The run-off took place nearly six months after the first round of the presidential election was annulled due to alleged Russian interference, which is of Moscow origin, in favour of far-right leader Calin Giurgescu, who is banned from running again. | BGNES

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)