Romania's nationalism surge: What Simion's rise means
George Simion, leader of the nationalist AUR party, received 40.96% of the votes in the first round of repeat presidential elections in Romania. His proposal to withdraw aid to Ukraine and collaboration with the Law and Justice party (PiS) raises controversies. What’s next for Romania in NATO?
What do you need to know?
- George Simion, leader of the AUR party, garnered 40.96% of the votes in the first round of repeat presidential elections in Romania on Sunday. In second place is Nicusor Dan, who received 21% of the votes.
What are the consequences of Simion’s victory?
George Simion, leader of the nationalist AUR party, received 40.96% of the votes in the first round of repeat presidential elections in Romania. His victory followed the annulment of the previous elections by the Constitutional Court, which identified irregularities in the campaign of pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu. Simion, known for his criticism of military aid to Ukraine, promises changes in Romania’s foreign policy. This raises concerns about its position in NATO.
Will Romania change its foreign policy?
Simion, an ally of PiS in the ECR group in the European Parliament, has repeatedly criticized military support for Ukraine. In his view, Romania should focus on improving the economic situation of its citizens instead of supporting Ukrainian refugees. Simion distances himself from the pro-Russian line, calling Vladimir Putin a war criminal and emphasizing that leaving NATO would be a disaster.
What are Simion’s future plans?
Simion, who gained support through anti-establishment slogans, promises a return to Christian values and traditional gender roles. His close ideological alignment with Donald Trump and support for the "Make Europe Great Again" movement indicate a desire to introduce changes in European policy. Simion maintains regular contacts with PiS, emphasizing the shared mission of building a Europe of sovereign nations.
