Romania, which shares a 650-kilometer (400-mile) border with Ukraine, has gained strategic importance since Russia invaded its neighbour in 2022. Despite his growing domestic support, Simion’s rhetoric is reason for alarm for Nato allies.

Romanians started casting ballots on Sunday in the first round of a presidential election that could pit a far-right nationalist against the incumbent leftist prime minister in the runoff. Thirteen candidates are vying for the presidency in the European Union and NATO member country,

Experts expect the final vote to pit far-right George Simion against incumbent center-left Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. The diaspora is expected to play a pivotal role in the outcome of the election.

George Simion, Romania's youngest presidential candidate, admires U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and would stop military aid to Ukraine, while his vocal anti-Brussels rhetoric chimes with that of Hungary's Viktor Orban.

Romanians vote in the first round of a presidential election on Sunday, with worries about the cost of living likely to earn radical right leader George Simion, who opposes military aid to Ukraine, a shot at victory.