On “Super Sunday,” millions across Romania, Poland, and Portugal will head to the polls, a key moment for democracy as political and economic tensions rise.
In Romania, far-right candidates are taking center stage in the presidential race, as liberals, conservatives, and others vie for leadership amidst a first-round poll that many see as deeply flawed.
Portugal is also expected to continue this trend, holding snap legislative elections just over a year after the last ones. Here’s what you should know.
Has Romania already held presidential elections?
Yes, the previous election last year was overturned, with a far-right winner being denied amid widespread concerns about Russian interference and fraud allegations. Thus, this upcoming vote is seen as a second round, following six months of political uncertainty.
Analysts describe this election as potentially the most pivotal in Romania’s post-communist history, with various factions, including some supporting Trump, clashing against calls for centralist independence.
George Simion, 38, an advocate for a socially conservative agenda, believes in a European “melonization” and cutting military aid to Ukraine. He secured 41% of the votes in the first round, nearly doubling his closest competitor.
In the second position is Bucharest’s mayor, 55-year-old Nicole Dunn, who has framed the election as a battle between “Western versus Anti-Western Directions for Romania.” Polls suggest a close race, although there seems to be a gap with the rivals trailing.
Simion has tapped into widespread frustration with mainstream Romanian parties, promising to dethrone Prime Minister Karin Georgek, who won the previously cancelled election last November.
The defeat of candidates from the dominant Social Democrat coalition led to Prime Minister Marcel Siorak’s resignation, effectively collapsing the government and creating the need for a new coalition.
Experts warn that Simion’s win could redirect the nation sharply to the right. A collaboration between Simion’s AUR party and the Social Democrats is seen as a potential outcome post-election, similar to the upcoming snap elections.
The EU is closely monitoring the voting process, with comparisons to Hungary and Slovakia, amidst ongoing concerns regarding democratic integrity. Nationalists in the U.S. have accused Bucharest of undermining democracy following the earlier election’s annulment.
The Romanian president holds significant influence over foreign policy, national security, and various judicial appointments, representing NATO members on international matters and having the power to veto critical EU votes.
What about Poland?
The stakes are high there too, particularly for the Donald Task government. This vote will narrow the field of potential candidates for the presidency, with significant implications for foreign and defense policies and legislative authority.
Since 2023, the country has been led by the Civic Union of Task, a politically fragile alliance with a significant promise: reversing the controversial changes enforced during the eight-year tenure of the National Populist Law and Justice Party.
However, their plans have been hindered by the presidential veto power held by Andrzej Duda, a close ally of the prior administration and a staunch supporter of Trump.
Winning the presidency could solidify the government’s position and allow progress on liberal commitments regarding social issues, such as abortion and LGBTQ+ rights.
Rafau Truzaskovsky, the 53-year-old Mayor of Warsaw and a prominent figure in the Civic Union, has consistently led in the polls. His main competitor is 42-year-old conservative Karol Nawrocki, who, although officially independent, is backed by the PIS party.
Nawrocki aims to inject a fresh perspective into the polarized political landscape, maintaining a focus on sovereignty, illegal immigration, and frustration over environmental policies.
It seems highly probable that Trzaskowski and Nawrocki will advance to the runoff on June 1.
A far-right candidate, Sławomir Mentzen, has recently tried to challenge Nawrocki but has since lost momentum.
He markets himself as a voice for younger voters who feel let down by traditional politics, advocating for radical deregulation and tax reductions. A vocal critic of the EU and an opponent of progressive policies, he seems to be positioning for the 2027 parliamentary elections.
How about Portugal?
Portugal’s election is likely to be less dramatic. The country is preparing for its third snap general election in three years. Prime Minister Louis Montenegro triggered this new vote amid rising questions about potential conflicts involving his family business.
Montenegro, at the helm of the Democratic Union (AD) since narrowly winning the previous election last year, has faced scrutiny after transferring business operations to his wife and son the following year.
He has denied any wrongdoing but found himself facing mounting political pressure, leading to the current election announcement.
Recent polls show similar standings as before, with Montenegro’s party around 33%, the opposition Socialist Party at 26%, and the far-right Chega garnering 17%.
It looks like Montenegro might clinch a majority again, although even if he secures a deal with a small liberal party polling at about 6%, governing could be challenging, especially if the Socialists effectively oppose his legislative agenda.
Montenegro has ruled out partnerships with Chega, yet his administration has been accused of veering too close to them after they announced plans to expel 18,000 irregular migrants during their campaigning. There’s also chatter that his own Social Democrats might replace him with someone more compatible with Chega if he doesn’t deliver strong results on Sunday.
In the last election, Montenegro’s party gained 80 seats compared to 78 for the Socialists, while Chega—led by former TV football analyst Andre Ventura—saw its seat count surge from 12 to 50, reflecting their rising support.
