George Simion, leader of the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), conceded defeat on Sunday night and congratulated Bucharest mayor and pro-EU independent candidate Nicușor Dan for winning the presidential election.

The election result could reshape the direction of the pro-EU and NATO member nation bordering war-torn Ukraine.

The front-runner in Romania's presidential election, George Simion, accuses the current government of attacking democracy and says he is the only candidate who hasn’t been tainted by holding power.

If Bucharest does lurch over to the saboteur camp, it would be a bitter blow as Romania carries greater geostrategic heft than Hungary or Slovakia. The Black Sea nation of 19 million has, until now, been a rock-solid stalwart of the EU and the NATO alliance.

According to G4Media sources, representatives of AUR (Alliance for the Union of Romanians, a far-right nationalist party) and POT (Party of Young People,

Investors are treating Romania’s eurobonds on par with junk-rated debt after months of political turmoil, and now the weekend’s presidential ballot brings fresh risks for the currency and local debt as well.

Hard-right presidential candidate George Simion is extending a warm hand to other parties, but getting the cold shoulder.

The future belongs to patriots. I will fight for freedom, just as my ancestors did. I’ll fight to ensure that Romania—and other European nations—remain part of the free world and strong allies of the United States, the greatest nation on Earth.