Capital Mayor Nicusor Dan, an independent candidate in the presidential election, anticipates that the second round, in which he will face the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) leader, George Simion, will be a „difficult” one.

However, he voices himself optimistic that he will win the election and that Romania will follow a Western-oriented path.

„A difficult second round with the isolationist candidate is coming. It won’t be a debate between individuals, it will be a debate between a pro-Western direction for Romania and an anti-Western direction. That is what the second round will be about. It is our task to convince Romanians that Romania needs a pro-Western direction, and that is what our campaign will focus on in the next two weeks. I call on all Romanians to be part of this battle. I am optimistic that we will win, that Romania will press forward in a Western direction. I have hope that, with all the resources this country has, in a few years it will be in the place it deserves,” he said in a statement at his campaign headquarters.

These remarks were made after Nicusor Dan rose to second place in voter preferences, according to partial results of the presidential election.

Nicusor Dan thanked those who went to the polls on Sunday, those who voted for him – especially those in the Republic of Moldova, where over 50% of voters supported him.

Several Save Romania Union (USR) leaders, including Dan Barna and Dominic Fritz, also went to Nicusor Dan’s campaign headquarters to congratulate him on his success.

AGERPRES