Pro-European gains shape elections in Romania, Poland, and Portugal amid rising far-right pressure

In a critical weekend for European politics, pro-European Union candidates and parties made notable gains in Romania, Poland, and Portugal—though far-right contenders and rising political fragmentation underscored the continent’s shifting political landscape.

Romania: Dan secures presidency in dramatic turnaround

In Romania, pro-EU candidate Nicușor Dan won a decisive victory in Sunday’s presidential runoff, defeating hard-right nationalist George Simion in a race widely viewed as a geopolitical referendum. With 99% of the vote counted, Dan secured 53.9% to Simion’s 46.1%, marking a dramatic turnaround after Simion had led the first round earlier this month.

Dan, the incumbent mayor of Bucharest, overcame what many believed was an insurmountable deficit, gaining nearly 900,000 more votes in the second round. His victory was seen as a rejection of Simion’s nationalist rhetoric and skepticism toward the EU. Thousands of supporters gathered outside Dan’s headquarters in Bucharest, waving European flags and cheering as the results rolled in.

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From an outdoor stage, Dan delivered an emotional victory speech thanking supporters and extending an olive branch to Simion’s voters, calling for unity in a politically divided country.

Poland: Tight race sets stage for runoff

In Poland, liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski and conservative historian Karol Nawrocki emerged as the top contenders in the presidential election, setting up a high-stakes runoff on June 1. An Ipsos exit poll showed Trzaskowski with 31.1% of the vote, narrowly ahead of Nawrocki’s 29.1%, suggesting a closely contested second round.

Trzaskowski, aligned with Prime Minister Donald Tusk, is known for his pro-European stance and progressive social policies, drawing strong support in urban centers. Nawrocki, a political newcomer backed by the conservative Law and Justice party, has campaigned on national sovereignty and traditional values, echoing anti-EU and anti-Ukrainian sentiments. His recent meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House was widely interpreted as a symbolic endorsement.

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Portugal: Center-right wins, but faces fragmented parliament

In Portugal, the center-right Democratic Alliance led by incumbent Prime Minister Luís Montenegro won Sunday’s general election but fell short of a parliamentary majority. With 99.2% of votes counted, the alliance secured at least 89 seats in the 230-seat National Assembly, short of the 116 needed to govern outright.

This marks Portugal’s third general election in three years and comes amid ongoing political instability. Montenegro’s government had been ousted in a no-confidence vote earlier this year after serving less than 12 months. In a post-election speech, he expressed willingness to form cross-party agreements, emphasizing national unity over partisan divides.

Complicating the political outlook is the continued rise of the populist Chega (Enough) party, which ran on an anti-immigration and anti-corruption platform. Chega may yet claim second place, further highlighting the growing influence of far-right movements in Western Europe.

Europe at a crossroads

The weekend’s results reflect a broader trend across Europe: pro-European forces remain resilient, but face growing pressure from populist and nationalist challengers. As governments form and runoffs approach, the balance between integration and sovereignty continues to define the continent’s political future.