| Welcome to Balance of Power, bringing you the latest in global politics. If you haven’t yet, sign up here. Back in November, Romanians stunned Europe by voting for a little-known far-right conspiracy theorist with pro-Russia views as their president. Călin Georgescu’s shock first-round victory was subsequently overturned by a court due to outside interference, and he was barred from running in the election rescheduled for May 4. Campaigning officially begins today. What might seem like a local scandal in a mid-sized eastern European nation has since taken on global significance.  Călin Georgescu, center, outside the Bucharest Court of Appeal in December. Photographer: Andrei Pungovschi/Bloomberg Elon Musk took up Georgescu’s case with supportive posts on X. US Vice President JD Vance cited Romania’s annulled election as an example of Europe’s democratic backsliding. Georgescu shot to overnight prominence on TikTok. His instant success triggered suspicion, and Romanian authorities named Russia as having attempted to influence the election — accusations that Moscow denies. Polls now show a clear lead for another far-right candidate, George Simion, who is openly skeptical of aiding Romania’s eastern neighbor Ukraine. To Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan, an independent who has also joined the running, it’s a reflection of the “rage” felt in society over corruption and compounded by the established parties’ complacency. The election outcome “was the first time that we have a critical mass saying clearly we want a change,” Dan said in an interview in the Romanian capital this week. That is an opportunity but also poses dangers, he said. He ascribed the mood to profoundly differing visions of the world between an inherently conservative populace and progressive “elites,” a political gulf that’s only growing across Europe and in the US. Dan, a mathematician by profession who takes the middle ground, portrays himself as Romania’s best hope. He’s focusing his campaign on social media, and polls suggest he’d win if he makes it to a runoff due May 18. His solution: “We have to earn the trust of the people step by step.” — Alan Crawford  Nicușor Dan, mayor of Bucharest. Photographer: Andrei Pungovschi/Bloomberg | 
