Romania Swings Right Again in First Round of Presidential Vote

Welcome to the Brussels Edition, Bloomberg’s daily briefing on what matters most in the heart of the European Union.

A Romanian ultranationalist aligned with Donald Trump secured a first-round victory in a repeat presidential election and will head to a runoff against an independent centrist, dealing a blow to the nation’s ruling establishment amid outrage over persistent corruption and poverty. George Simion won about 41% and will face Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, who got 21% of the vote. The candidate backed by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu’s ruling coalition came in third and will miss out on the May 18 runoff. Much is at stake, with Romanians deciding whether the country maintains the transatlantic course or turns to anti-establishment forces that have challenged the EU’s liberal order. Unlike most other European countries, Romania’s president is not a figurehead and represents the country at EU and NATO meetings and is commander-in-chief of the military.