Romania prepares for decisive presidential re-election featuring a popular nationalist, reminiscent of MAGA ideology.
Unleashing the Firebrand: George Simion's MAGA-style Run for president in Romania
Romania braces itself for one of its most critical elections in decades, with MAGA-style nationalist George Simion slamming the doors to the presidential palace, declaring it his duty to restore democracy and the voice of the people after the previous election was quashed.
The political landscape of Romania has been tossed into turmoil following a top court's decision last year to void the previous election, with far-right outsider Calin Georgescu emerging victorious in the first-round polls. The annulment came on the heels of alleged electoral violations and whispers of a covert Russian campaign that backed Georgescu, who is now under investigation and barred from Sunday's re-run. Moscow firmly denies any involvement in Romania's democratic process.
"We didn't transition from communism to democracy in 1989," declares Simion, a 38-year-old firebrand leading the hard-right nationalist Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, speaking to The Associated Press. "The Romanian people have been living under the illusion that we are a democratic country."
Eleven candidates are vying for the presidency in Sunday's vote, with the successful contender expected to battle it out in a May 18 runoff. The presidential role carries a significant five-year term and considerable decision-making powers in national security and foreign policy.
A communist state until the end of the Cold War, Romania has spent decades attempting to build robust democratic institutions. However, last year's botched election sent the EU and NATO member country into uncharted political chaos.
"They voted for change, and they were not given the opportunity to enact that change," said Simion, who finished fourth in last year's race and later threw his support behind Georgescu. "I'm running again as a duty towards democracy, towards the constitutional order, to restore the rule of law, to restore the will of the Romanian people."
Populism Reigns
Several local surveys paint a murky picture of the upcoming election, but data suggests Simion is likely to make it to the runoff, probably competing against incumbent Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan or the ruling coalition's candidate, Crin Antonescu.
As it stands, the rise of nationalist and far-right figures in EU countries has become a familiar trend, fueled by widespread anti-establishment sentiments. Simion claims his AUR party is "perfectly aligned with the MAGA movement," capitalizing on a burgeoning wave of populism in Europe following U.S. President Donald Trump's political resurrection. AUR rose to prominence in the 2020 parliamentary election and proclaims to stand for "family, nation, faith, and freedom," doubling its support since.
Dan, a 55-year-old mathematician and former anti-corruption activist, runs on a pro-EU "Honest Romania" ticket. He contends Romania needs a president "who has the will and the ability to reform the system."
Veteran centrist Antonescu, age 65, champions retaining Romania's pro-Western orientation, while Victor Ponta, a former prime minister, boasts of having close ties with the Trump administration, pushing a MAGA-style "Romania First" campaign.
Elsewhere contender Elena Lasconi, who secured second place in last year's first-round ballot, leans on a staunchly pro-Western, anti-system platform, decrying a corrupt political class. However, her bid may have waned in the re-run after her USR party withdrew its support, moving towards Dan, who they argued had a better chance of winning. Lasconi likened her compatriots to 'coup plotters.'
Rising Criticism
The election re-run marks a pivotal moment for Romania as it strives to regain its democracy and maintain its geopolitical alliances, which have been strained since the election fiasco last year.
The cancellation of the election and Georgescu's ban from running have been harshly criticized by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Elon Musk, and Russia, which openly advocated for Georgescu's candidacy in the re-run.
The U.S. Embassy in Bucharest released a statement on Facebook, attributed to Vance, saying, "To believe in democracy means to recognize that every citizen has the right to an opinion. We shouldn't be afraid of our people, even when they express opinions that contradict our leadership."
Widespread distrust of the authorities remains rampant, especially among those who backed Georgescu, a sizable electorate that Simion aims to rally.
However, a Simion presidency could pose unique foreign policy dilemmas. He is banned from entering two neighboring countries, Moldova, and Ukraine, due to security concerns. "It is in their interest to maintain good relations with us," he stated.
His critics accuse him of having pro-Russian leanings, warning that his presidency could undermine both Brussels and NATO amidst the Ukraine conflict. Simion refutes these claims as a "smear campaign" and insists that Russia has been the "main threat" to Romania for the past 200 years and remains so today.
"This is why we need a strong NATO and troops on the ground in Romania, Poland, and the Baltic states," he said, standing against sending further military aid to Ukraine. Simion, meanwhile, advocates for more power to be vested in the 27 EU states, not to the European institutions.
A Formidable Force
Opponents have labeled Simion's AUR party as extremist, citing, for instance, their stance against mandating the study of the Holocaust in Romania, which they dismiss as a trivial matter. Furthermore, in 2022, Israel's ambassador to Romania condemned AUR for their approach on this issue.
Cristian Andrei, a Bucharest-based political consultant, foresees a Simion presidency "turning Romania upside down because he will use and weaponize this social and economic discontent," potentially triggering a crisis within all the political parties.
"He will try to steer public conversations on issues that focus on more conservative or populist topics ... and, at some point, he will attempt to capitalize on this skepticism towards the EU and the West," Andrei said, hinting at the potential for long-term shifts in Romania's foreign policy.
But supporters like Rares Ghiorghies, a 36-year-old energy sector worker, are attracted to Simion's "patriotic-conservative vision" that prioritizes family, faith, and anti-corruption. He insists, "This change can only be achieved through a fundamental overhaul of the political class and its outdated principles," adding that Simion is a patriot whose foreign policy vision is staunchly pro-USA, not pro-Russia.
Conversely, 34-year-old shop owner Lidia Cremenescu expressed support for Dan, pinpointing her concerns as the Ukraine conflict, a flagging economy, and corruption.
"I believe he can make real changes in this country," she said, citing Dan's accomplishments as Bucharest mayor to tackle pressing issues. "You want someone who will take charge and assume the responsibility, in case anything goes awry."
- The upcoming election in Romania is expected to be critical, as 11 candidates, including George Simion, vie for the presidency.
- Simion, a leader of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, claims his party is aligned with the MAGA movement, capitalizing on a wave of populism in Europe.
- Current polls suggest Simion may make it to the runoff, possibly competing against incumbent Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan or the ruling coalition's candidate, Crin Antonescu.
- Despite criticism from the US Vice President and others, Romania's cancellation of the previous election and the ban on Calin Georgescu have stirred disenchantment among many voters, especially those who supported Georgescu.
- If elected, a Simion presidency could pose foreign policy dilemmas, as he has been banned from entering two neighboring countries due to security concerns and has been accused of having pro-Russian leanings.
- A Simion presidency could potentially lead to a crisis within the political parties, steering public conversations towards conservative or populist topics and triggering long-term shifts in Romania's foreign policy.
- Supporters of Simion see him as a patriot with a "patriotic-conservative vision" that prioritizes family, faith, and anti-corruption, while opponents label his party as extremist due to controversial stances on issues like the study of the Holocaust.
