Romania's centrist Bucharest mayor, Nicușor Dan, won the country's presidential election in a shock upset over a hard-right, nationalist rival who had pledged to put Romania on a path inspired by US President Donald Trump's politics.
Official results from nearly all voting stations showed Mr Dan garnering about 54% of ballots cast by voters in the EU and NATO member country of about 19 million people, while Mr Trump supporter George Simion was at 46%.
Mr Dan, 55, a soft-spoken mathematician, made a last-minute dash to the top in recent days after weeks of trailing Mr Simion, a Eurosceptic wanting to end military aid for Ukraine in its war with Russia.
The election drew the highest percentage of voter turnout in a Romanian election in 25 years.
Watch: Centrist Dan wins Romanian presidency over hard-right pro-Trump rival
Mr Simion, who was the top vote-getter in the first round of the election two weeks ago with 41% of ballots cast, conceded after earlier saying he won the election.
Mr Dan had campaigned on a pledge to fight rampant corruption, to maintain support for Ukraine - where Romania has played an important logistic role - and to keep the country firmly within the European mainstream.
Yesterday evening in the capital Bucharest, Mr Dan supporters chanted "Russia, don't forget, Romania isn't yours".
Staunchly pro-EU and NATO, Mr Dan said in the run-up to the election that Romania's support for Ukraine was crucial for its own security against a growing Russian threat.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Mr Dan on his "historic victory," writing on social media: "For Ukraine -as a neighbour and friend - it is important to have Romania as a reliable partner."
Read more: Romania's presidential election delivers a surprise result
The voting in Romania took place on the same day as the first round of a Polish election in which a liberal frontrunner, Rafal Trzaskowski edged ahead of Karol Nawrocki, the candidate backed by the opposition nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party.
Both elections are being closely watched across Europe amid concern that popular anger with mainstream elites over migration and cost of living pressures could bolster support for Mr Trump and erode unity on the continent over how to deal with Russia.
'A difficult period ahead'
Mr Dan acknowledged that he faces a tough challenge in finding a prime minister to negotiate a majority in parliament to reduce Romania's budget deficit - the largest in the EU - as well as to reassure investors and try to avoid a credit rating downgrade.
"There will be a difficult period ahead, necessary for economic rebalancing to lay the foundations of a healthy society. Please have hope and patience," Mr Dan told supporters after exit polls were published showing him ahead.
Mr Dan later said talks could take a few weeks.
The election took place nearly six months after the initial ballot was cancelled because of alleged Russian interference - denied by Russian officials- in favour of far-right front runner Calin Georgescu, who was banned from standing again.
Romania looked poised to swing towards Russia had Mr Georgescu won, and Mr Simion built a campaign to benefit from his support, signalling he would nominate him as prime minister if he emerged victorious.
Speaking shortly after voting ended, Mr Simion said his election was "clear".
"I won!!! I am the new President of Romania and I am giving back the power to the Romanians!" Mr Simion said on Facebook. However, conceded the election later in the evening.
A crowd of Mr Dan's supporters celebrated his victory outside his campaign headquarters in downtown Bucharest.
The president of Romania has considerable powers, including being in charge of the defence council that decides on military aid.
The president will also have oversight of foreign policy, with the power to veto EU votes that require unanimity.
Political analysts had said victory for Mr Simion would have risked isolating Romania abroad, eroding private investment and destabilising NATO's eastern flank.
It also would have meant that Hungary's fiercely anti-immigrant leader Viktor Orban, a long-time Trump ally, and Slovakia's Robert Fico - who both oppose military aid for Ukraine - would gain a new ally in the European Council in decisions on aid for Ukraine, energy, sanctions against Russia or the EU's budget.
