Imagine the president's name is Nicky.

This is what the Romanians just voted for: a soft, a little weird mathematician, everyone mentioned by his name Nicusor or Nicky.

Hours after claiming election victory on Monday, the new president picked up his daughter from school as usual. He promised his children that nothing would change.

But for Romania, things looked very different this morning.

Nicusor Dan has been the mayor of Bucharest since 2020, but until now, he is little known outside the capital. That is why his election is widely seen as a protest against the old political guards who have ruled Romania for more than three decades.

But this is also the least extreme choice for change.

Dan's opponent in the second round of the vote was George Simion, a determined nationalist and European shock who was often subjected to public insults.

He was also banned by two neighboring countries because he claimed that part of Ukraine, Moldova belongs to Romania.

Simion won the first round with 41% of the vote, but Dan won the match in the second round and then took over.

Political analyst Radu Magdin explained the shift, noting a significant increase in turnout.

“Obviously, a lot of people are angry in Romania and want to see fundamental changes. But at the same time, we see massive mobilization from the urban middle class who fear that the country will be backwards.

"It's a concern about what might happen if Simion and his friends came on stage."

I've met a lot of mock supporters in recent days.

When he voted on Sunday, a crowd of people greeted him at the polling station. Some wear embroidered national costumes, while others bring the Romanian flag.

They tend to talk about God and the “traditional values” they think Simion represents. Two men told me that their first priority was to prevent the EU from “achieving” same-sex marriage in Romania.

Other voters were also attracted by Simien’s “Romania No. 1” rhetoric and a promise to live a better life.

"For us, for us, there's nothing to do to us," Liliana told me this week from behind a Bucharest market stall full of apples.

She and her husband voted for the mockup, thinking he wouldn't be "so corrupt."

So when the results came in, she was disappointed.

"I don't think Dan has the ability to run a country. But what should we do if people don't want to change and improve?" Liliana shrugged.

"I think the kids are back in the village and convince their parents to oppose Simien. They are afraid they will vote for Dan."

George Simion himself told me that he was a patriot and “a man of my people.” But as the campaign progressed, he made mistakes.

Diana, outside the market, feeding pigeons with the kids, was planning to vote for Simion until she saw a video from Paris before the election.

Simion tried to speak French, describing President Macron as a "dictatorial tendency" and said the country was run by "Ayatollahs".

"It's impossible to do this, go there and talk to the French people so roughly." "It made me change the vote."

Analyst Radu Magdin found other mistakes, including radical blog posts and the moment Simion insulted his rival Dan, called him "autistic, poor guy."

"Other than that, he seems to have escaped from public debate and shake hands in pan-European radical rights," Mr. Magding mentioned.

“I would say there are a lot of people who don’t really appreciate it.”

For many Romanians, choosing Dan is also a strike against Moscow intervention.

During last night’s Election Street celebration, people shouted the name and cheers of the new president, and people shouted their contempt: “Russia, don’t forget! Romania is not yours!”

They refer to evidence of Russia's interference in November's elections to increase opportunities for far-right conspiracy theorist Calin Georgescu.

When he won the first round from nowhere, the vote was abolished.

This weekend was a rerun, and George Cu was banned and placed in his place. Even on voting day, the two are often seen side by side.

But Georgeku's public sympathy for Russia - he once told me that he admired Vladimir Putin - was a shift for many voters.

Not only did Nicusor Dan win, because he wasn't a similar one.

His voters like his representatives, including a strong future within Europe.

Many brought the EU flag last night when thousands of campaign headquarters awaited his claim to victory. Both comfort and excitement.

Before the election, young voters told me that if Simion wins, they plan for radical action.

Political graduate Sergiana told me in central Bucharest. “I think in a year or two, he will completely mess up our chances of staying in the EU.”

By contrast, Dan puts his relationship with Europe at the heart of the campaign.

Another young voter, Petrosanu, approved: "For the European way, for young people and Romania, it's a better choice because we get more EU funding, more development."

"This is also the smartest person since the revolution. He knows how to do things."

Finally, Dan's victory is emphasized. But millions of Romanian voters have chosen another way, different values. While there are high hopes for “change” candidates, the challenges are enormous and patience may be limited.

Radu Magdin warned: "I think this is the last chance for mainstream political classes to win elections on the 'Save Europe, save democracy' platform."

George Simion is only 38 years old and has nowhere to go. His nationalist Aur Party is strong in parliament.

"Next time, if these people don't do their job, it's 'goodbye'," the analyst said. "The next time it might be someone like Simion."