A far-right conspiracy theorist was blocked from the highest position when Romania's presidential election was abolished on claims of Russian intervention.

Many Romanians are very pleased. Many others were angry that their votes were stolen.

But six months later, as the country returns to the ballot box, another hard right European relationship is running for the president.

George Simion won the first round of the new election on May 4 with a big profit. Now, the former football casual nationalist politician is facing face to face with Bucharest's Liberal mayor Nicusor Dan.

It is a vote that can see that NATO and the European Union (EU) are sharply apart from mainstream Europeans.

Both candidates voted on Sunday morning, and Simion said he had voted for the future, “it can only be decided by Romanians, Romanians and Romanians.”

Dan told reporters he was voting to "work with our European partners, not to quarantine Romania".

The polls are too close.

Teleorman County is one of the poorest regions in Romania and has been a territory of social democracy for many years. But earlier this month, 57% of voters here chose President's Simon in the first round of voting.

A few hours southwest of Bucharest, the blue letters entering the area were announced on the rusty metal arches on the main road.

There are wild poppies on the streets, not candidates’ campaign posters. There is no obvious sign of the election.

But social media feeds on people’s phone calls and is full of political content.

The latest clip of Spread Communication features a folk fantasy world of embroidered tops, prayers and bears, with the slogan “I choose Romania”.

Aperio Intelligence's Felicia Alexandru explains the nation's support for far-right candidates in the first round.

After more than three decades of the same party dominates politics, frustration over corruption and poor performance has been building.

"People are so dissatisfied with what is happening in high-level politics, and that's a vote for that," Felicia said.

The protest vote is not limited to the poorest or most dissatisfied.

The business, founded by Comalat Dairy Company 25 years ago, was not recognized.

At that time, he set out every day at his Dacia at 05:00 to drive the round farm to buy milk. Then, every night, he handed the cheese and yogurt produced by three workers to the client.

Now his old packaging machine stands in the hall to remind the early days. But Peter has since received €1.5 million (£1.3 million; $1.7 million) in EU funding to modernize and expand his business. This is the money he never has to pay back.

The businessman said excitedly: "This is a very, very good thing for us."

He employs more than 50 employees.

“I love George Simion,” staff member Mihaela announced with a smile, squeezing the liquid from the large amount of curd cheese.

When I mentioned Brussels’ fear, she shrugged, and he would make EU-Romanian relations very turbulent.

Mikhara replied: "He is around the Romanians. He is for the people. To create jobs and a better life."

Simion talked a lot about “making Romania great again” and responded with American politicians whom he admired so much. He also adopted the same isolationist approach: First, Romania is in all respects.

When pushed, he called Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal for invading Ukraine.

But like Donald Trump, he promised to end military aid to Kiev, who was unclear about the future of Ukraine’s important grain exports through Romania.

Ukraine and Moldova have been banned from using Ukraine and Moldova because of the appeal for a portion of its territory in Romania.

In the latest outbreak this week, he called his election rival “autistic, poor guy.”

He also accused French President Emmanuel Macron of having a "dictatorship."

Mr. Philip said Simon was “too impulsive” to be president, “driven by hormones rather than his brain.”

But he was disillusioned by the whole scene and he tended to not vote at all.

Just on the road to Roșiori de Vede, they are also discussing elections - and troubles.

Roxana runs a factory that produces work clothes, including troops in another EU country.

Her clients have been calling to know whether Romania wants to vote for a “pro-Russian” president.

"They want to know if their order is safe!" she smiled.

Roxana himself plans to vote for this people under his name Nicusor because she likes how he regards Bucharest as mayor.

She was also deeply upset about the so-called "rogue" behavior of Simion.

"It's a bad image for Romania in Europe. I feel ashamed," Rosana said, recalling the insults the candidates had towards Macron.

In another recent incident, Simion threatened to sexually assault a female MP, calling her a pig.

Rosana said: “Compared to those who won the International Mathematics Olympics, that refers to the competition won in the 1980s. He went on to earn his PhD from Sorbonne.

Prior to the second round of votes, Roxana and her friend Andrea participated in a grassroots initiative to convince voters to support Dan.

"I tried to say why Simion's plan was not feasible, but I don't think I was super successful," Andrea admitted. She said she was "very worried".

“I see what people say online, they really believe in simulation and think he’s going to shake everything and tear down the system.

"They think it's all bad, but that's not the case."

Her own candidate Dan stressed the EU and pro-NATO, and his campaign slogan was "honest".

"I don't guarantee a miracle" is his modest election commitment. "But I promise I'll fight."

If the battle fails and Simion wins, he will not be the only tough candidate at the forefront of Romanian politics.

Much of his support comes from those who initially voted for Calin Georgescu, a fringe figure who won the first election in November and then canceled on national security grounds.

Since then, the two have frequently appeared side by side, and if he is elected, Simion has promised to be Prime Minister Georgeku.

It is not clear how this works, as he was accused of benefiting from "massive" and "radical" interventions from Moscow.

Roxana predicts that political victories, including Monday, will be politically chaotic. ”

Felicia agrees: "The question is whether he stays in the shadow of Georgescu or completely change his views."

"Is this a campaign strategy, or does he believe it?"