A super-largeist who opposes military aid to Ukraine has insulted the EU leader and called himself Donald Trump’s “natural ally” to win the first round of Romania’s replay presidential vote and will face centrists in runoff, early estimates.

Initial forecasts after the polling stations closed on Sunday showed that George Simion started George Simion with an anti-vax movement during the pandemic, with its far-right alliance starting at 30% to 33% of the vote.

In Bucharest Mayor Nicuș and third-place neck and third place are centrist candidate Nicuș and veteran former Senator Crin Antonescu, accounting for 21%-23%, former nationalist Prime Minister Victor Ponta lags behind at 14.7%.

The two top-scoring candidates are scheduled to face each other in the second round of the May 18th, within nearly six months of the initial vote being cancelled, which proves the alleged "huge" movement of Russian influence.

These forecasts are based on voting, which is closed until 9pm local time, until a few hours ago, without taking into account the votes of the very large expatriates in Romania, which can account for 10% of all votes.

The far-right victory could lead to Romania sharing borders with Ukraine and being a member of the EU and NATO - turning from the current pro-Western road and becoming another destructive force within the group and the transatlantic defense alliance.

It will also be welcomed by conservative nationalists in Europe and beyond, including senior Trump administration figures such as U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who accused Bucharest of rejecting democracy after canceling the original vote.

The vote was won by the far-right, Moscow-friendly Independence Party Călin Georgescu, declared zero campaign spending. Romania's top courts were abolished after declassified intelligence documents showed Russia's influence action.

In February, Georgescu, who denies any misconduct, was investigated, including crime campaign finance, abuse of digital technology and the promotion of counts of fascist groups. In March, he was banned from standing in a replay.

The Romanian president has considerable power in foreign policy, national security, defense spending and judicial appointments. They also represent countries on the international stage and can veto important EU votes.

Anti-establishment sentiment rose in Romania, where median household income was one-third of the EU average. More than 30% of the country's 19 million people are at risk of poverty and social exclusion, and nearly 20% of the workforce works abroad.

Simion, 38, said on Sunday that the two had only one task: to return to the constitutional order and return to democracy.

Georgescu, 63, said the vote replays “a carefully planned fraud by those who deceive the only national policy”, but said he voted for “recognizing the power of democracy, scaring the system’s right to vote, and causing the system to suffer.”

Dan, a 55-year-old mathematician and former anti-corruption activist, formed the Save Romania Union Party (USR), who is running for an independent, pro-European "Honest Romanian" vote. He said he voted for Romania “for hope and a new beginning.”

Antonescu, 65, who is backed by the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the Center Right National Liberal Party (PNL), said he is voting for "unifying Romania, providing respect for a powerful Romania to a dignified Romania".

In Romania, the polls are not reliable, but several people have suggested that Simon beat Dan in runoff but face a tough game against Antonescu.

Simion described itself as being “moderate” than Georgescu, but repeatedly insisted on Romania’s “sovereignty” and called on the country’s pre-World War II border to be restored by Moldova and Ukraine, both of which were banned.

Contrary to Georgescu, Simion often condemned Russia while blasting Brussels and praised the U.S. Republicans in the United States. He said his goal was to build alliances of countries within the EU "in the spirit of Maga".

He said Sunday that if he wins, his goal is to bring Georgescu to the administration. "If the Romanian people want, Mr. Georgeku can do several ways under our country's leadership, and we will use it," Simion said. "We can make up a majority and have him as prime minister, we can hold elections or call for a referendum."

Romania held parliamentary elections in December, with Simon's AUR and other far-right groups winning 35% of the seats.

If MPs reject two proposed governments within 60 days, a quick election can be triggered. Experts say this is unlikely since it has never happened and at least temporarily the ruling centrist coalition seems to be unified.

Simion said if he was elected, he would open the minutes of the meeting, resulting in the cancellation of the original election and revealed “how much we have contributed to the war in Ukraine, harming Romanian children and our elderly.”