Suceava, Bucovina, ROMANIA – I don’t think I’ve ever been more nervous about an election than I was for this year’s race for president.
It felt like everything – our rights, our future, the kind of country we want to live in – was on the line when voters went to the polls in May.
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After the first round, we were left with two very different choices: Nicușor Dan, who is calm, honest, and independent; and George Simion, whose far-right views and hateful words made me genuinely afraid.
Dan is known for being logical, and truly committed to fighting corruption. As mayor of Bucharest, he actually made a difference, stopping illegal construction, supporting real urban development, and working to modernize the city’s infrastructure.
He’s not flashy or loud, but people respect him because he’s honest and works hard.
Simion, on the other hand, built his whole image on nationalism and anti-European ideas. And behind all that loud talk, there’s a side of him that scares me.
He made openly disgusting and sexist comments – once caught on video – saying to a woman: “I will sexually assault you, you sow.”
That’s not just rude; it’s horrifying. And then, during a live TV interview, he flirted with a female journalist even though he’s married and has a kid.
That kind of disrespect isn’t just upsetting for the viewers, but it’s dangerous, especially from someone who wanted to be president.
So when I found out that Dan won, I honestly felt a huge wave of relief. I was really scared about what could happen if Simion won, especially for women’s rights and the future of our democracy.
Dan was the clear, better choice, not just because of what he’s done, but because of who he is – and also because of who he is not. People didn’t just vote for him because of his qualities, but also because they didn’t want someone like Simion.
That doesn’t mean Dan is perfect. No politician is. But he shows respect, responsibility, and real effort to improve things, and that’s what matters most.
I believe our new president will really connect with people, especially young Romanians like me. So many of us voted for him because he seems open-minded, serious, and truly focused on doing what’s right for the country.
Being independent gives me hope that he’ll fight corruption and work hard to fix things like education, something our generation desperately needs.
Romania chose hope, fairness, and responsibility. I couldn’t be prouder.
Patri Stan is a Junior Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
