European Union centrist politician who defied odds to decisively defeat a hard-right nationalist in Romania’s critical presidential race, has emerged as a counterforce to the right-wing populist wave

Urban voters, women and ethnic minorities overwhelmingly supported Dan. His conservative rival, George Simion, has announced plans to file a legal challenge to annul the election, citing 'foreign interference.

Romania's European allies and markets welcomed centrist Nicusor Dan's presidential election victory over a eurosceptic hard-right rival on Sunday, relieved that the European Union member had avoided a lurch to a Donald Trump-inspired political path.