, revealing a long, lumpy, odd-shaped

in the redo. Simion then surged to frontrunner in the May 4 rerun after becoming the standard-bearer for the hard right.Years of endemic corruption and growing anger toward Romania’s

has fueled a surge in support for nationalist figures, reflecting a broader pattern seen across Europe.The AUR party says it stand for “family, nation, faith, and freedom” and rose to prominence in a 2020 parliamentary election. It has since grown to become the second-largest party in the Romanian legislature.To his critics, Simion is a pro-Russian extremist who threatens Romania’s longstanding alliances in the European Union and NATO. But in an AP interview last week, he rejected the accusations, saying Russia is his country’s biggest threat, and that he wants Romania to be treated as “equal partners” in Brussels.

“Some fake news were saying that we want to exit the European project,” he said. “Tough luck.”Most recent local surveys indicate the runoff has narrowed to a near tie, after earlier ones showed Simion holding a lead over Dan, a 55-year-old mathematician who rose to prominence as a civic activist fighting against illegal real estate projects.

Dan founded the reformist Save Romania Union party in 2016 but later left, and is running independently on a pro-EU ticket, reaffirming Western ties, support for Ukraine, and fiscal reform. At a rally in Bucharest on Sunday, he also addressed the growing tensions.

“How did it come to this, that in a country with hardworking, decent people, there is so much hatred and division, that families and circles of friends are torn apart over political opinions,” he said. “We need to project hope.”“It’s going to be my last week with my baby,” said Jean, his voice filled with sadness.

He looked miserable as he made his checks: oil, cables, brakes.Eventually, he sat in the driver’s seat took off his baseball cap and prayed, as he always does before setting off.

Haitian immigrant Kevenson Jean, a truck driver, prays before beginning a road trip, April 15, 2025, in Panhandle, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)Haitian immigrant Kevenson Jean, a truck driver, prays before beginning a road trip, April 15, 2025, in Panhandle, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)