‘Between a mathematician and a Trump-loving hooligan’: Romania’s stark presidential choice

Bus stops bearing the face of Nicuşor Dan, the mayor of Bucharest, who is running to be Romania’s president against the ultranationalist George Simion. Photograph: Andrei Popoviciu/The Guardian

Collecting her 10-year-old son from primary school in Bucharest’s crumbling Ferentari neighbourhood, Georgeta Petre was quite sure who she would be casting her ballot for on Sunday, and why.

“I hope he will change things,” she said. “I hope he’ll do things better. Everyone before him just … lied. Look around – we can’t continue like this. I can’t afford food, or clothes for the children. I’m voting for George Simion. He will be different.”