Independent candidate Nicusor Dan said on Sunday evening, in a speech at the end of the rally titled 'Romania in Lumina' ('Romania in Light') held in Victoriei Square, that his supporters and Romanians must believe in the Romania they want to build in order to win it through the vote taking place in just over a week.

He told the several thousand supporters gathered in Victoriei Square to try, over the coming week, to convince as many of their friends and family as possible about the importance of voting on May 18, and to be active on social media.

'Don't be afraid if you somehow trigger a wave of hate, because we must believe in the Romania we want to build — and we will win that Romania! A Romania that reflects many of its people: an honest Romania, a hardworking Romania, and a respectful Romania toward all those around it. Just one more week, and we will succeed!,' said Nicusor Dan.

He also said he was moved by the warmth of the words with which he was introduced by all the speakers who took the stage in Victoriei Square during the approximately two-hour public gathering. These included actor Victor Rebengiuc, sociologist Gelu Duminica, anti-communist dissident Radu Filipescu, Vlad Alexandrescu, president of the Group for Social Dialogue, Oana Gheorghiu, co-founder of the Daruieste Viata association, as well as his partner Mirabela Gradinaru.

'I want to make you one promise: that I will try to live up to your expectations. We have come a long way together - 35 years - during which we have all worked, both those who chose to stay here and those who, for the sake of their families, left Romania and supported it from abroad. We all worked, and it's true that it hasn't always been a shared effort - some contributed while others pulled for their own interests - but still, we got somewhere. We built a Romania together. And not long ago, we took another step, all of us together saying: 'It can't go on like this. We want change,'' Nicusor Dan added.

The several thousand rally participants, many of whom carried European Union flags, lit up their phone flashlights around 9:00 PM to the sound of the European anthem - Ode to Joy.

The demonstration in Victoriei Square ended without incidents. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Marius Fratila; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)