Ultranationalist George Simion was the favorite in Romania’s runoff, but concerns over the country’s future sparked record turnout. Pro-EU Nicușor Dan’s win brings relief to Brussels and Kyiv.

“Congratulations Nicușor Dan! Long live free Romania,” exulted center-right Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose party candidate also won a narrow election victory Sunday night in Poland. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was also thrilled by the outcome, as Dan promises to keep Romania on its pro-EU, pro-NATO pathway.

European Union leaders expressed relief after centrist Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan won Romania’s presidential election on Sunday, defeating nationalist and euroskeptic candidate George Simion in a runoff vote,