Europe Votes for Change — but Not Chaos: Romania Stuns with Centrist Win as Portugal Swings Right Without a Majority

From Bucharest to Lisbon, two key elections delivered surprising — and telling — results about public opinion and political power balances across Europe.

In Romania, it was the underdog story no one saw coming. Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan, a softly spoken centrist with a background in mathematics, pulled off a political upset, defeating hard-right firebrand George Simion by a commanding 8-point margin in the presidential runoff.

Dan, who ran as an independent, was the clear antithesis of his rival. His calm, policy-focused campaign resonated with urban voters and youth alike, and his win marks a decisive turn toward moderation in a country recently rattled by constitutional crises and fears of foreign interference.

“This is your victory,” Dan told cheering supporters outside his headquarters, as Romanian and EU flags waved in celebration. His promise? A new era of unity, hope, and responsible governance.

Meanwhile, Portugal offered a more complicated picture. The center-right Democratic Alliance, led by Luís Montenegro, came out on top in a snap election triggered by a motion of censure — but fell short of a majority. While the win was significant, the spotlight was stolen by the far-right Chega party, which surged to tie the Socialist Party in parliament.

The rise of Chega — once a political fringe — confirmed its growing influence, mirroring broader trends across Europe. However, Montenegro has ruled out governing with Chega, setting the stage for tense negotiations with the socialists or, potentially, a fragile minority government.

The Socialist Party, led by Pedro Nuno Santos, suffered a historic defeat and now faces a leadership vacuum after his resignation. Santos’ successor will need to decide whether to enable a center-right minority or force a parliamentary deadlock that could delay governance for weeks.

Despite the instability, voter engagement was high in both countries, with Romania logging its strongest turnout since 1996 and Portugal reversing a years-long decline in participation.