Pro-EU candidate Nicușor Dan defeated hard-right contender George Simion in Romania’s presidential election, delivering a centrist victory in Europe over a nationalist rival who had pledged to put the country on a path inspired by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The result follows concerns about a populist wave on the continent, with the EU launching an investigation into Elon Musk‘s promotion of far-right candidates in Europe.
In January, the X owner used the slogan “Make Europe Great Again,” or MEGA, in a nod to Trump’s catchphrase.
Despite the defeat of Simion, who had once appealed to U.S. Republicans for support, right-wing parties had mixed fortunes in the weekend’s elections elsewhere in Europe, making gains in Portugal’s parliament but losing out in the first round of Poland’s presidential ballot.
