BUCHAREST: Romanians were voting on Sunday in a tense presidential election re-run, a tight race between a fan of US President Donald Trump and a pro-EU mayor that could reshape the direction of the key Nato member bordering war-torn Ukraine. If nationalist George Simion wins the rerun — held after last year's vote was annulled over allegations of election interference — he would become the country's first far-right president. That would thrust Romania into a growing group of European Union countries with nationalist leaders critical of Brussels and keen to cut military aid to Ukraine.
Far-right leader Simion and his rival, Bucharest's Mayor Nicusor Dan, have both campaigned on a platform of change amid anger with politicians deemed corrupt who have ruled one of the EU's poorest countries since the end of Communism 35 years ago. Pledging to put "Romania first", Simion has vowed to "restore the dignity of the Romanian people. He has criticised what he calls the EU's "absurd policies" and wants to cut military aid to Ukraine. — AFP
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