Klarmedia presents the second part of the TV Index, 2025 Presidential Elections that tracks and analyses presidential elections candidates’ visibility on television. The present study spans the time period April 4-22, 2025 and comes as a follow-up to the study covering April 4-13. Click here for the results of the study for April 4-13.
The Klarmedia – TV Index, 2025 Presidential Elections analysis was based on content aired by national TV stations, with channels that aired a significant amount of candidate material included in the top. The study reflects the total volume of materials, without distinguishing between positive, negative or neutral tone of the appearances.
According to the Klarmedia – TV Index, 2025 Presidential Elections study, Nicușor Dan continues to enjoy the highest visibility on TV channels, while Victor Ponta dropped from 2nd to 5th place.
Candidates’ visibility on TV stations during April 14-22, 2025:
1. Nicușor Dan – 1,187 materials
2. Elena Lasconi – 988 materials
3. Crin Antonescu – 917 materials
4. George Simion – 740 materials
5. Victor Ponta – 693 materials
6. Lavinia Șandru – 85 materials
7. Cristian Terhes – 42 materials
8. Daniel Funeriu – 38 materials
9. Silviu Predoiu – 30 materials
10. John Ion Banu – 29 materials
11. Sebastian Constantin Popescu – 25 materials
The most active TV stations in terms of broadcasting material about the presidential candidates were Realitatea Plus and Antena 3 CNN, with a small difference in the number of mentions between them, followed by B1, Romania TV and EuroNews, which complete the top of the channels with the most intense media coverage of the presidential candidates in the first week.
Most active TV stations:
1. Realitatea Plus – 939 materials
2. Antena 3 CNN – 895 materials
3. B1 – 748 materials
4. Romania TV – 678 materials
5. EuroNews – 361 materials
6. Digi 24 – 329 materials
7. Aleph News – 322 materials
8. Prima News – 138 materials
9. TVR Info – 117 materials
10. Antena 1 – 81 materials
11. TVR 1 – 71 materials
12. Pro TV – 45 materials
13. Prima TV – 35 materials
14. TVR 2 – 15 materials
Key messages and dominant topics:
Nicușor Dan, the first-placed candidate in the Klarmedia – TV Index, 2025 Presidential Elections analysis, registered the most mentions on Realitatea Plus, Antena 3 CNN, B1 and Romania TV. Between April 14-22, there was a higher visibility on B1 station compared to the previous period analyzed (April 4-13).
In the period April 14-22, Nicușor Dan was most often mentioned in the context of the internal scandal in USR regarding support for Elena Lasconi. Other topics associated with Nicusor Dan during the analyzed period refer to: lack of transparency regarding campaign financing, ambiguous relationship with businessmen such as Matei Paun – accused of pro-Russian connections, use of Bucharest City Hall resources for campaign purposes. The candidate’s constant themes include the promise of state reform, reducing bureaucracy, digitalization of ANAF and the fight against corruption. Nicusor Dan expresses his desire to have a prime minister like Ilie Bolojan to help pull the state out of crisis and stagnation. He emphasizes the need for cooperation between pro-European parties in the administration of the country.
Elena Lasconi ranks second in the Klarmedia – TV Index, 2025 Presidential Elections analysis, with a significant number of mentions in the analyzed period – 988. The most frequent appearances were recorded on Antena 3 CNN, Realitatea Plus, B1 TV and Aleph News. Between April 4-13, Elena Lasconi had ranked third.
Elena Lasconi’s appearances are dominated by the internal conflict in USR and the withdrawal of support for her candidacy. The central messages focus on legitimacy, the fight for control of the party, and the right to campaign and funding.
Crin Antonescu ranks third in the Klarmedia – TV Index, 2025 Presidential Elections analysis for April 14-22, with the most mentions recorded on Romania TV, Antena 3 CNN, B1 TV and Realitatea Plus.
Crin Antonescu’s speech focuses on reinforcing his image as a man of experience and integrity, fighting accusations of being a collaborator of the communist Securitate, expressing a clear electoral program, supporting traditional values and pro-European orientation, as well as a rational and moderate stance towards the country’s major security and social issues. Crin Antonescu denounces the accusations and scandals targeting him as attacks by political opponents and hidden structures. He supports the fight against crime, especially drug trafficking, calling for the strengthening of the National Anti-Drugs Agency and for prevention and treatment policies. He also emphasizes sovereignty in the sense of preserving cultural identity and traditional values, but in a modern secular state, in dialogue with all religious denominations.
George Simion has moved up one spot in the Klarmedia – TV Index, 2025 Presidential Elections analysis for April 14-22 and now ranks fourth.
George Simion’s themes continue to be dominated by strong nationalism, with an emphasis on sovereignty and national identity, harsh criticism of the current government, as well as a critical stance towards the European Union and France, which he accuses of interference in the elections and domestic politics. He challenges the annulment of the second round of the 2024 presidential elections, arguing that this was a coup d’état that violated the sovereignty of the Romanian people. He announces that he will bring Calin Georgescu to the leadership of the country, expressing a joint commitment and close collaboration with him.
Victor Ponta is the fifth-ranked candidate in the Klarmedia – TV Index, 2025 Presidential Elections analysis for the period April 14-22, with the most mentions being recorded on Realitatea Plus, Romania TV, Antena 3 CNN and B1 TV.
Victor Ponta still has a sovereignist profile and positions himself as an anti-system candidate and supports the idea that Romania should be led by a leader who puts the country’s interests first. Most mentions are in the context of his reported decision – and taking responsibility for – opening the Iron Gates dam in 2014 in order to save Belgrade. Victor Ponta stresses the need to strengthen strategic relations with the US and emphasizes security. On the domestic front, he promotes pension increases, support for agriculture and IT companies, and infrastructure development.
Lavinia Șandru remained on sixth place in the Klarmedia – TV Index, 2025 Presidential Elections analysis for April 14-22. As in the previous period (April 4-13), Antena 3 CNN is the channel that generated the most mentions.
Lavinia Șandru’s speech is centered on a social, civic and moral approach. She continues to focus on fighting abuse and emphasizes poverty and poor living conditions in rural areas. Another focus of her discourse is the fight against drug use among young people.
Cristian Terheș ranks seventh in TV visibility, with Antena 3 CNN and EuroNews generating the most mentions.
Cristian Terhes positions himself as a genuine sovereignist, and his message emphasizes the need to reaffirm fundamental rights and freedoms in the face of external influences. Terhes supports the transparency of the electoral process and was the first to lodge the first official complaint about electoral fraud during the annulled elections. Domestically, he has proposals on lowering taxes on labor and balancing the budget. On the external front, in addition to support for Ukraine, his discourse includes the need to increase defense capacity and collaboration with European and NATO structures.
Daniel Funeriu ranks eighth in TV visibility during April 14-22, with Digi 24 and Antena 3 CNN recording the most mentions.
Daniel Funeriu focuses on fighting corruption, positioning himself as an independent and honest candidate against a political class perceived as weak and divided. He proposes an active foreign policy, with a focus on Romania’s role as a peace mediator in international conflicts and on strengthening relations with strategic partners, especially with the United States of America. In the field of national defense, Daniel Funeriu pleads for the allocation of 3.5% of GDP to defense, with a focus on locally manufactured military equipment and the reintroduction of mandatory military training for young people.
Silviu Predoiu ranks ninth in the top of media visibility, with the most mentions on Antena 3 CNN and AlephNewsTV.
The messages of the candidate Silviu Predoiu focus on his experience and competence in the secret services. He supports a change of direction for Romania, having in the foreground truth, ethics, common sense and transparency in public administration. Predoiu’s discourse emphasizes Romania’s role within the EU and NATO and calls for a more active promotion of national interests, but also a respectful treatment in relations with international partners. Silviu Predoiu, too, brings up drug use, promoting the start of the process of legalization of medicinal drugs, as well as the regulation of soft drug use, for better control of consumers and to reduce illicit trafficking.
John Ion Banu ranks 10th in the top of media visibility, having the most mentions on Antena 3, CNN and EuroNews.
John Ion Banu positions himself as an independent candidate, with strong local ties and relevant experience in the Romanian diaspora in the US, being involved in civic and humanitarian activities. His key message emphasizes respect for traditional values, democracy and freedom of speech.
Sebastian Constantin Popescu ranks last in the top of media visibility, with Antena 3 CNN and EuroNews the channels that generated the highest visibility for him.
Sebastian Constantin Popescu characterizes himself as “the only candidate from outside the system” and emphasizes his honesty and transparency. He supports Romania’s commitment to the EU, but stresses the need to better capitalize on non-reimbursable European funds. The candidate promotes the defense of sovereignty and claims that a well-equipped army is needed.
Despre analiză:
Analiza a fost realizată de Klarmedia – tool inovativ de monitorizare și analiză media dezvoltat de MSG Factory SRL și apreciat de profesioniștii în domeniul comunicării. Klarmedia combină monitorizarea automată cu analiza realizată de experți, procesarea datelor bazându-se pe tehnologii avansate de Machine Learning și Inteligență Artificială, asigurând un nivel ridicat de precizie, relevanță și valoare analitică în interpretarea conținutului media.
