Romania’s pro-European Union presidential candidate Nicușor Dan won the country’s presidential election Sunday, defeating his ultranationalist rival.

BUCHAREST, Romania — The pro-European Union candidate in Romania’s tense presidential runoff has taken a lead in the polls, preliminary electoral data shows, in a closely-watched vote against a hard-right nationalist that could determine the geopolitical direction of the NATO member country.

“Congratulations Nicușor Dan! Long live free Romania,” exulted center-right Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose party candidate also won a narrow election victory Sunday night in Poland. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was also thrilled by the outcome, as Dan promises to keep Romania on its pro-EU, pro-NATO pathway.