Photo : Reuters
19 May 2025, Monday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #1137
By Fleur Elizabeth Philip
ROMANIA
Pro-West candidate wins the presidential elections with 54 per cent votes
On 18 May, pro-West independent candidate Nicușor Dan secured his victory with 54 per cent of the votes in the presidential elections. Following him was George Simion, who had 46 per cent of the votes. He initially refused to concede but gave in and congratulated Dan. Simion said: “It is a bitter feeling,” but this is just the beginning. Romanians support the pro-Western authority and are going against Calin Georgescu in the upcoming mayoral elections in Bucharest. Euronews reports that, with a close gap in the victory, Dan will have a huge challenge in addressing the issues faced by Romanians. With the majority of the parliament being pro-West, this is a sign of relief for the EU, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine. Dan’s campaign on honesty, decency, anti-corruption, and reformation in the government has beaten the hard-right Simion and the entire political establishment in the two rounds of presidential elections. He addressed the crowds that cheered on him by waving the EU and Romanian flags, and said: “From tomorrow, Romania begins a new stage,” and emphasised the importance of public policies, a civil society, and changes in politics. (“Romania’s pro-West candidate Nicușor Dan wins presidential election in dramatic comeback,” Euronews, 18 May 2025)
POLAND
Ruling party Civic Platform candidate to win the first round of presidential elections
On 18 May, Poland’s ruling party Civic Platform candidate Rafał Trzaskowski, has won the first round of presidential elections with 30.8 per cent of the votes. The second place goes to the right-wing, Law and Justice Party (PiS) candidate Karol Nawrocki, who won 29.1 per cent of the poll. Coming in third place is the right-wing to far-right political party New HopeSlawomir Mentzen, with 15.4 per cent of the votes. The second round of the presidential vote runoff is to take place on 01 June. In a press conference, the State Elections reported that the voter turnout reached 50.69 per cent, in comparison to the previous elections in 2020, the first-round turnout came to 64.5 per cent. The final results of the turnout are to come soon. (Weronika Wakulska, “Exit polls: Rafał Trzaskowski to narrowly win Polish presidential election first round,” Euronews, 18 May 2025)
PORTUGAL
Ruling party Democratic Alliance wins with 32.7 per cent in general elections
On 18 May, Portugal’s ruling party Democratic Allaince (AD), have secured the most seats in the general elections. It won with 32.7 per cent, but fell short of 42 per cent, which is required for an outright majority, whereas the far-right Chega party has secured around 22.6 per cent of the votes. AD leader and acting Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has ruled out any possibility of making a coalition deal with Chega, but to secure the victory in the elections, the AD must forge deals with the smaller parties to get a majority, or at least 116 seats of 230. Portugal has been experiencing political turmoil in the past several years, and a second term for the minority party would remove all hopes of the people, who look forward to stability in Portugal. In these elections, the parties must address issues such as housing, where the prices of houses and rents have soared, though, in the past decade, due to the inflow of several foreigners, and immigration, which has seen a steep rise since 2018, that comes from Brazil and Asia. (John Silk, Karl Sexton & Kalika Mehta, “Portugal election: Ruling AD wins, stays short of majority,” Deutsche Welle, 18 May 2025)
NETHERLANDS
Thousands protest in Hague calling for action against Israel’s activities in Gaza
On 19 May, thousands of people, calling themselves the Red-clad protesters, marched through the Hague, demanding that the government take action over Israel’s activities in Gaza. Organisers, along with human rights groups, Amnesty International, and aid agencies, took part in the protest. The no. of people in the crowd came to an estimate of 100,000 people. The march went past the Peace Palace, the UN International Court of Justice, headquarters, and marched for five kilometres to express the failures of the government. According to Amnesty International’s Marjon Rozema, the protestors call upon stopping all support to Israel, for they block all aid to Palestine, and it is responsible for the genocide, war crimes, and human rights violations in Gaza and other territories occupied. The parliament is mainly occupied by the Party for Freedom, which is pro-Israel, and this has caused splits in the Dutch coalition government. (Emma De Ruiter, “Tens of thousands protest in The Hague to demand Dutch government action on Gaza war,” Euronews, 19 May 2025)
REGIONAL
The EU and the UK look to sort out issues and sign deals
On 18 May, European Council President Antonio Costa, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas are scheduled to meet UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. They plan to discuss their stance on defence, the security pact and future partnerships post Brexit relations. Starmer has made it clear that the security pact with the EU is important for the Labour Party. While the EU has agreed upon closer collaborations in defence. This gives the UK-based defence companies access to partner with the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE). Both the EU and the UK are to discuss and clear the tensions between themselves in a summit at Lancaster House. The UK seeks relief from checks and bureaucracy on the sale of food, animal and agricultural products, which are known as sanitary and phytosanitary products (SPS). In return, the UK will have to follow the EU regulations, also the EU looks to extend the fishing access, as pert the EU fishing fleets. (Lauren Walker, “EU and UK chase deal in London amid wrangling over closer ties,” Euronews, 18 May 2025)
INTERNATIONAL
EU-US delegation discuss trade, Ukraine and defence in the meeting held by Italy’s Prime Minister
On 18 May, Italy’s Prime Minister, Georgia Meloni, hosts a dialogue between the US Vice President JD Vance and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Rome. They discussed a “new beginning” between the transatlantic blocs. Vance calls Europe an important ally, despite certain disagreements, and responding to that, Leyen highlights the trade partnerships and says that they have the largest trade partnerships in the world, with more than USD 1.5 trillion per annum. Leyen also discussed the War in Ukraine and appreciates the US involvement in the Russia-Ukraine peace deal. Lastly, both leaders spoke on defence and are in support of the comment made by President Donald Trump, which states that Europe must increase its defence spending. In conclusion to the meeting, Meloni, Leyen, and Vance attended the inauguration mass by Pope Leo XIV, in the Vatican. (“Italian PM Meloni hosts EU-US talks on trade, Ukraine and defence,” Euronews, 18 May 2025)