The two candidates chose Euronews Romania for their decisive, three-hour debate in the crucial election race — a political thriller after a dramatic vote annulment in December and with the future of NATO’s eastern flank nation in the balance.

After decisively winning the most votes in Romania's first-round presidential election redo, hard-right nationalist George Simion will face a pro-Western reformist in a pivotal runoff in two weeks that could reshape the European Union and NATO member country's geopolitical direction.

Marcel Ciolacu announced his resignation on Monday, saying his ruling coalition has lost legitimacy after EU critic George Simion's first-round win, deepening turmoil ahead of the May 18 runoff.