Candidates’ visibility in the first week of electoral campaigning
Klarmedia presents the conclusions of research that monitored and analyzed the visibility of the presidential candidates on television in the first week of the election campaign, covering the period April 4-13, 2025.
The Klarmedia – TV Index, 2025 Presidential Elections analysis was based on content aired by national TV stations, with channels that aired a significant volume of candidate material included in the top. The study reflects the total volume of material, not taking into account the tone of the appearances (positive, negative or neutral).
Between April 4-13, the candidate with the highest visibility on TV channels was Nicușor Dan, with a total of 1,723 materials mentioning him. He is followed by Victor Ponta, who appeared in 1,348 materials, Elena Lasconi with 1,198 mentions, Crin Antonescu with 1,023 and George Simion, present in 958 materials. At the opposite pole, the candidates with the lowest visibility on TV were Sebastian Constantin Popescu, Silviu Predoiu and John Ion Banu, who were mentioned in the fewest materials during the monitored period.
Top candidates’ visibility on TV:
1. Nicușor Dan – 1,723 materials
2. Victor Ponta – 1,348 materials
3. Elena Lasconi – 1,198 materials
4. Crin Antonescu – 1,023 materials
5. George Simion – 958 materials
The most active TV channels in terms of broadcasting material about the presidential candidates were Realitatea Plus and Antena 3 CNN, both with a very close number of mentions, followed by Romania TV, B1 and Digi24, which complete the top of the channels with the most intense media coverage of the presidential candidates in the first week.
Most active TV channels:
Most of the material about the presidential candidates was generated by:
1. Realitatea Plus
2. Antena 3 CNN
3. Romania TV
4. B1
5. Digi24
Key messages and dominant themes::
The top of TV visibility in the Klarmedia – TV Index, 2025 Presidential Elections analysis is led by Nicușor Dan, the candidate who registered the highest number of appearances. The most mentions were recorded on TV stations Realitatea Plus, Antena 3 CNN, Romania TV and Digi24.
On TV, Nicușor Dan is presented as a pro-European and anti-system candidate, but his image is often associated with environmental problems in Bucharest, the situation of vulnerable communities, the state of parks or the heating and hot water shortage in certain areas of the capital. His central messages are aimed at reforming and
streamlining the administration, transparency in funding, and positioning himself as an independent outside traditional power structures. Controversies over his relations with influential businessmen, whose geopolitical links remain difficult to clarify, are also brought to public attention. On the foreign policy front, Nicușor Dan advocates Romania’s firm European Union and NATO membership, expressing his opposition to sovereignist policies, which he sees as a threat to the country’s stability.
Victor Ponta ranks second in the TV Index, 2025 Presidential Elections Klarmedia analysis, with a significant number of mentions during the analyzed period. The most frequent appearances were recorded on Realitatea Plus, Romania TV, Antena 3 CNN and B1 TV.
On television, Victor Ponta emerges as a candidate who promotes a pragmatic vision of patriotism, through the central message “Romania first”. He positions himself as a defender of national interests, but at the same time advocates a responsible neighborhood policy, with an emphasis on balance in regional relations. His discourse includes constant references to the fight against corruption and the need for a functional justice system, trying to differentiate himself through a rhetoric focused on responsibility and efficiency. At the same time, controversies about certain past connections or decisions were covered in the media as well and continue to be part of the public perception of his candidacy.
Elena Lasconi ranks third in the top TV visibility of presidential candidates, with the most mentions on Antena 3 CNN, Realitatea Plus, Romania TV and Digi24.
The dominant themes that define her media presence include the internal struggle within USR, but also direct criticism of Nicușor Dan, including aspects of his personal life and family relations. Lasconi is positioning herself as a determined candidate, publicly insisting on her refusal to withdraw from the electoral race. Her messages are marked by perseverance and resilience, constantly reaffirming that she “will not give up” and that she “will fight to the end”. Her discourse also frequently includes criticism of opinion polls, which Lasconi considers manipulative and used as tools to undermine her legitimacy and chances in the race.
Crin Antonescu ranks fourth place in the Klarmedia – TV Index, 2025 Presidential Elections analysis, with the most mentions on Antena 3 CNN, Realitatea Plus, Romania TV and B1 TV.
His discourse is portrayed as a responsible one, oriented towards conciliation and unity, with a strong emphasis on the integrity of the rule of law, justice reform and solid collaboration with Western partners, especially the European Union and NATO. His political message focuses on stability, the defense of state institutions, the fight against corruption, increasing citizens’ trust in institutions and economic development by attracting European funds, while advocating the maintenance of the single tax rate. Crin Antonescu proposes the image of a citizen-president who “listens and unites” and who can mobilize national resources efficiently. Although his general discourse is moderate and balanced, firm and sometimes sharp attacks on political opponents are present as well, accusing opponents of opportunism, disloyalty and betrayal of the electorate. Strengthening foreign relations, national reconciliation and the fight against corruption are among the key messages that have shaped Antonescu’s media profile at this stage of the campaign.
George Simion ranks fifth in TV visibility, with the most mentions on Realitatea Plus, Romania TV and Antena 3 CNN.
Simion positions himself as the leader of the sovereignist movement in Romania, promoting a strong anti-system discourse, centered on national independence, traditional values and the rejection of external influences, which he considers destructive to the country’s identity and sovereignty. His campaign is marked by internal conflicts within the AUR party, accusations from the media and controversies over funding and online promotion. His messages insist that Romania must regain its sovereignty, criticizing the excessive involvement of foreign structures in domestic political decisions. George Simion argues that the current political class is corrupt and manipulates the will of the people, and that the institutions are instruments of a system that betrays national interests. On the economic front, he promotes a nationalist vision, advocating the repurchase of strategic resources, giving the example of an energy company, which he says should be returned to Romanians. He also expresses reservations about Romania’s current relations within the EU and NATO, suggesting that Romanians are treated as second-rate partners.
Lavinia Șandru stands out through a TV presence mainly focused on Antena 3 CNN, the channel that generated the most mentions during the analyzed period.
In her interventions, Lavinia Șandru positions herself as a candidate focused on fairness and closeness to citizens, emphasizing the fight against abuses and supporting the interest of the simple citizen. Dominant themes in her speech include food safety and security, as well as criticizing the special pension system, which she considers unfair and abusive.
Daniel Funeriu ranks seventh in the top of TV visibility during the analyzed period, present in the media as an independent candidate with an intellectual and technocrat profile.
Funeriu positions himself as a reformist in the field of education, with a discourse built around transparency, fair justice and integrity in the electoral process. His central message is linked to a clear explanation of the exceptional event of the annulment of the presidential elections of December 2024, a theme he addresses in parallel with criticisms of the dysfunctional judicial system. On the educational front, he promotes concrete initiatives such as the abolition of three-shift classes and the introduction of nutrition education in schools. The themes that shape his public presence include education, justice, integrity and the reform of the political class, with clear and firm messages against corruption and political “cliques”.
Cristian Terheș ranks eighth in TV visibility, with Antena 3 CNN, Digi24 and TVR1 accounting for the most mentions.
Terheș positions himself as a sovereignist, conservative and reformist candidate who strongly advocates the protection of national identity, traditional values, transparency in politics and fairness in the electoral process. He is critical of other sovereignist candidates, whom he considers inconsistent and lacking solid character. Cristian Terheș challenged the annulment of the December 2024 presidential elections, pointing out to vulnerabilities in the electoral process and calling for remedying the overreach of the electoral authority, as well as full transparency in the organization of the elections.
John Ion Banu Muscel ranks ninth in media visibility, with most mentions on Antena 3 CNN, Digi 24 and TVR Info.
The candidate stands out for his strong discourse on topics such as internal security, capital punishment and the right to bear arms. Banu Muscel supports the reintroduction of the death penalty as a deterrent to crime and a means of protecting
public safety. He uses his dual Romanian-American identity to legitimize his political paths and positions.
Silviu Predoiu ranks 10th in media visibility, with the most mentions on Antena 3 CNN.
The candidate emphasizes his experience in the field of intelligence services and national security, stressing his civic involvement and distancing himself from his “politician” status. Predoiu advocates transparency in the intelligence services, promoting balance and neutrality in foreign policy. His messages focus on security issues and foreign relations, and he presents himself as a “professional” alternative to the current political class.
Sebastian Constantin Popescu ranks last in media visibility, with no TV station standing out with a significant number of mentions.
His messages focus on justice and the candidate presents himself as an alternative for voters concerned with issues related to justice and injustice.
Analysis tools:
The analysis was performed by Klarmedia – an innovative media monitoring and analysis tool developed by MSG Factory SRL and appreciated by professionals in the communication industry. Klarmedia combines automated monitoring with analysis by experts, with data processing based on advanced Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, ensuring a high level of accuracy, relevance and analytical value in the interpretation of media content.
