Nationalist George Simion Emerges Victorious in Romania's Initial Round, Bolstered by TikTok, Rural Voters, and Trump Support

From Fringe to Front-Runner: George Simion's TikTok-Powered Ascension

In a shocking turn of events, ultra-nationalist politician George Simion openly triumphed with a staggering 41% of the votes in a re-run election, widely perceived as a defining moment for Romania's political trajectory. Nicusor Dan, the pro-EU Bucharest Mayor, and Crin Antonescu, a veteran liberal, trailed behind with 21% and 20% respectively, in a clear indication of the country's looming political evolution.

The run-off, set for May 18, will pit Simion against Dan. This election will decide whether Romania continues its pro-European journey or veers towards a nationalist path, bolstered by Simion's contentious rhetoric and infatuation with US President Donald Trump.

Transforming TikTok into a Political Battleground

During the November 2024 presidential vote, which was initially assumed to be a routine affair, Romanians witnessed a pivotal event. In what was later deemed an interference by Russian Intelligence, Călin Georgescu, a far-right outsider, surprisingly emerged victorious despite polling in the single digits ahead of the election. This spurred Romania to take the unparalleled step of annulling the election and re-running it.

Georgescu's disqualification left a vacuum on the nationalist right flank, promptly filled by Simion, who had backed Georgescu previously and garnered a significant portion of his disenchanted supporters.

While the establishment candidates concentrated on mainstream media, Simion's campaign overflowed TikTok with countless videos daily, often filmed in rural settings. These videos were characterized by impassioned speeches, patriotic backdrops, and anti-Brussels messaging. Simion's campaign likewise benefited from meme pages and nationalist influencers who assisted in disseminating his message to a younger, disillusioned demographic.

In the final week of campaigning, Simion's campaign outperformed his rivals, according to social media monitors, in terms of views and shares. TikTok, under mounting scrutiny following 2023's disinformation controversies, claimed to have removed over 27,000 fraudulent accounts linked to Simion and Georgescu and established a Romanian election task force to combat manipulation.

A Rural Revolution

However, Simion's appeal transcended social media. He swept across economically struggling rural regions, where simmering frustration towards unemployment and state neglect run deep. Many voters regarded him as the only candidate who spoke to the discontent lurking in these communities.

He frequently posed as the voice of Romanian farmers, asserting he defended "those who work yet are ridiculed by the system."

Historian Jacques Rupnik commented that this election showcased a stark divide. "There's the Romania of metropolitan areas, which are more affluent, with a more educated population accustomed to Europe," he said. "And then there is the Romania of small towns, economically underdeveloped, with a rural population. It's there that the nationalist rhetoric resonates."

Simion's campaign focused on regaining sovereignty, including promises to nationalize farmland and strategic sectors.

Trumpism Takes Root in Europe

Oana Popusco, director of the GlobalFocus Centre in Bucharest, observed that "the dynamics mirror the dynamics of the United States."

She explained, "People want to take back control. They want to feel that they truly have agency when sending elected representatives to high offices of power."

The resemblance with the US doesn't end there. Donning a "Make America Great Again" cap at rallies, Simion brands himself Romania's "MAGA president," exploiting the swell of American-inspired populism surging across Europe.

His rhetoric captured the attention of Washington, who has increasingly interfered in Romania's political developments. In February, US Vice President Mike Pence condemned the annulment of Georgescu's first-round triumph, while White House adviser Elon Musk repeatedly criticized Romanian authorities on his social media platform X.

George Simion, the Romanian politician who gained popularity through his TikTok videos, managed to rally disillusioned voters in economically struggling rural regions, often promoting anti-Brussels messaging and portraying himself as a defender of farmers.
As Romania approaches a potential turning point in its political future, the May 18 run-off presents a challenging choice between continuing the pro-European journey or veering towards a nationalist path, following George Simion's lead, who models his rhetoric after US President Donald Trump's.
TikTok has emerged as a powerful political battleground, with George Simion's campaign outperforming his rivals in terms of views and shares in the final week of the campaign. Despite allegations of manipulation and coordinated disinformation, TikTok claimed to have taken action, removing over 27,000 fraudulent accounts linked to Simion and his allies.
Similarities between the political trajectories of the United States and Romania have been noted by observers, withGeorge Simion's campaign appealing to a desire for national sovereignty and control, much like the sentiments driving the American populist movement.
With the global focus on war-and-conflicts and general-news frequently dominating the front pages, the rise of George Simion in Romanian politics and the potential implications for the country's future in Europe have not gone unnoticed by the entertainment and social-media world, as his candidacy has injected a fresh dose of intrigue into the political landscape.