Voting in Romania’s presidential elections officially began on Friday, with Romanian citizens living abroad casting their ballots during a three-day voting period.

Domestic voting is scheduled for Sunday, May 4, and if no candidate secures an outright majority, a runoff round will be held on May 18.

A total of 11 candidates are competing in the race. According to recent opinion polls, the leading contenders include George Simion, leader of the nationalist “Alliance for the Union of Romanians” (AUR); Nicusor Dan, the mayor of Bucharest; Crin Antonescu, the ruling coalition’s candidate; and Victor Ponta, former prime minister.

This presidential election is seen as a key moment in shaping Romania’s political trajectory, amid rising nationalist sentiment and heightened competition between established parties and emerging political forces.