An upset presidential election victory in Romania on Sunday by a pro-European Union centrist over a hard-right nationalist eased fears among many in the Balkan nation that their political future was being swept up in the tide of right-wing populism spreading across Europe.

Ultranationalist George Simion was the favorite in Romania’s runoff, but concerns over the country’s future sparked record turnout. Pro-EU Nicușor Dan’s win brings relief to Brussels and Kyiv.

Romanians are casting their ballots in a tense presidential runoff between a hard-right nationalist and a pro-Western centrist