If this past weekend in European politics is an indicator of anything, it's that the "Trump effect" is real, and its reverberations are unpredictable.

Romania’s finance chief said a new government will need to move quickly to fix state finances even after the election of Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan as president helped soothe market turmoil that’s engulfed the Black Sea nation.

George Simion suggests Romania, a member of the European Union and NATO, should stop aiding Ukraine. Ukraine considers him a national security threat.

Voters are choosing between hard-right Euro-sceptic George Simion and liberal mayor Nicusor Dan in a presidential run-off.

President-elect Nicușor Dan held a phone conversation with Moldovan president Maia Sandu on Monday, May 19, reaffirming Romania's strong support for Moldova's European aspirations.  In a post on X following the call,

There was a wave of euphoria and relief across Europe following the election of pro-European liberal Nicusor Dan as Romania’s new president. “For Ukraine — as a neighbour and friend — it is important to have Romania as a reliable partner.

In Portugal, the parliamentary election saw the governing centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD), led by Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, take 89 seats in the 230-seat parliament, well short of 116 needed for a majority. The party garnered 32.7 percent of the vote.