Sawt Falasteen - Far-right candidate leads Romania's presidential rerun

The stakes are high for the NATO country of 19 million, which has become a key pillar of the defence alliance since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Simion, leader of the nationalist AUR party, scored between 30 to 33 percent of the vote, according to two exit polls.

Crin Antonescu, backed by Romania's governing pro-European coalition, was neck-and-neck with Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan, who both took between 21 and 23 percent,

"Together we made history today," said Simion in a video message broadcast at his party's headquarters to supporters chanting "Out with the thieves, let patriots come".

But political science professor Sergiu Miscoiu told AFP that Simion was "likely to be defeated in the second round" on May 18, while predicting that it would be a close race.

- 'MAGA' President -

In all, 11 presidential hopefuls were vying for the largely ceremonial but influential foreign policy post on Sunday.

The rerun follows the cancellation of last year's vote won by NATO critic Calin Georgescu.

He was barred from the rerun after authorities noted a massive TikTok campaign and issued claims of Russian interference, sparking sometimes violent protests.

Georgescu was replaced by 38-year-old Simion, a fan of Donald Trump often seen wearing a cap with the US president's slogan "Make America Great Again".

"It's time to take our country back," said the barred Georgescu after casting his ballot alongside Simion in Mogosoaia, on the outskirts of Bucharest.

"We are here with a single mission: to return to democracy -- and bring justice to Romania," said Simion, who campaigned on a promise to put Romania first.

Many voters clearly wanted change on Sunday, among them Robert Teodoroiu, who told AFP he hoped that this time his ballot would count after last year's vote was annulled.

"I'm trying my luck again," said the 37-year-old driver in Bucharest.

Voter turnout stood at about 53 percent when polls closed.

Simion has largely campaigned online, partly in a bid to woo Romania's influential overseas voters.

While describing himself as "more moderate" than Georgescu, he shares his aversion to what he calls "Brussels' unelected bureaucrats".

Simion accuses EU officials of having meddled in Romania's elections and has vowed to restore his country's "dignity" within the European bloc.

While frequently denouncing Russia, he opposes sending military aid to Ukraine and wants Romania to reduce support for Ukrainian refugees.

His campaign found favour with 67-year-old Stela Ivan. She hoped a far-right president would bring "change" to Romania after decades dominated by the same political parties since the end of Communism.

Another voter, 52-year-old nurse Silvia Tomescu, said she hoped for a "better life, higher wages and a president" who "will not side with Russia".

- Under scrutiny -

Pro-European coalition Crin Antonescu campaigned on a promise to offer stability, while Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan vowed to fight the "corrupt" and "arrogant" political elite.

Former Social Democrats prime minister Victor Ponta, who had been banking on a Trump-style "Romania First" campaign, has been polling behind.

Simion promised on Sunday that if he became president, he would get Georgescu into power, citing three options on how he would achieve that: "a referendum, snap elections or the formation of a coalition in parliament that would appoint him Prime Minister".

Following the shock annulment of last year's ballot -- a rare move in the EU -- the rerun will be held under close scrutiny.

Thousands in Romania have protested in recent months against the annulment of the vote, denouncing what they called a "coup".

The United States also criticised the annulment, with Vice President JD Vance condemning the decision.

While the far right alleged "multiple signs of fraud", the government pointed to various disinformation campaigns it said were "new attempts at manipulation and interference by state actors".

E.Qaddoumi--SF-PST