内容摘要：A Palestinian girl wounded in an Israeli airstrike on a school in Bureij refugee camp is brought to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

A Palestinian girl wounded in an Israeli airstrike on a school in Bureij refugee camp is brought to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

“The election is about choosing between the European model, the European way of life, which is based on democracy, freedom of expression, freedom of press, rule of law, development, unity, solidarity,” he said. “And the Russian model, which is the exact opposite — it’s more than just the presidential election.”In a local televised debate last week, Simion railed against EU officials whom he called the “globalists in Brussels,” and voiced admiration for Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a longtime critic of the 27-nation bloc.

“That is precisely why many of his positions, not all … will be state policy in Romania,” said Simion, who opposes further military aid to neighboring Ukraine or sending troops from NATO countries to protect any peace agreements, fearing escalation.Simion’s activities in Moldova led to allegations he was trying to destabilize the country and a ban on his entry there. He is also banned from entering Ukraine for “systemic anti-Ukrainian” activities.Moldova’s pro-Western President Maia Sandu posted a public message this week in support of Dan, saying Moldovans understand the value of being “part of the European family,” and urged Moldovans with dual Romanian citizenship to vote to ”protect what Romania has already achieved, but which is now under threat.”

Hours after voting opened on Friday, Simion accused the Moldovan government of election fraud, claims that were quickly rejected by Moldovan and Romanian authorities. “These statements are intended to sow distrust and hostility, with the aim of influencing the election process,” Romania’s foreign ministry said in a statement.In the first round on May 4, Simion won a massive 61% of Romania’s large diaspora vote, with his calls to patriotism resonating with Romanians who moved abroad in search of better opportunities.

Claudiu Tufis, an associate professor of political science at the University of Bucharest, says Sunday’s result will likely boil down to turnout, which is often higher in the second round vote. “Turnout will be the key,” he said. He added that Simion lacks adequate experience for high office and fears he would quickly target civil society organizations.

“That is a significant problem,” he said. “What is driving him is his focus on identity politics. He has absolutely no experience when it comes to foreign policy ... economy, and no experience when it comes to public administration.”involving U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

President Donald Trump, right, meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the White House, Feb. 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Mystyslav Chernov, File)President Donald Trump, right, meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the White House, Feb. 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Mystyslav Chernov, File)

“We have formed a version of the agreement that provides mutually beneficial conditions for both countries. This is an agreement in which the United States notes its commitment to promoting long-term peace in Ukraine and recognizes the contribution that Ukraine has made to global security by giving up its nuclear arsenal,” Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who signed the deal for Ukraine, said in a post on Facebook.The signing comes during what U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said would be