In a closely scrutinized presidential election in Romania, voters turned out on Sunday with initial results indicating hard-right candidate George Simion is leading the race. While the official tally is still ongoing, early reports suggest that Simion, long regarded as the frontrunner, is in the lead but has not reached the necessary 50 percent threshold for an outright victory. This scenario sets the stage for a runoff election on May 18, where he is expected to face either the establishment candidate Crin Antonescu or the centrist Bucharest mayor Nicușor Dan.
Who is George Simion?
The 38-year-old leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) has made significant strides in Romanian politics. Simion, who studied history at university, became active in political activism early on, participating in protests advocating for the unification of Romania with Moldova, reflecting an ultranationalist and irredentist ideology.
He formed the AUR party in 2019 following an unsuccessful attempt to secure a seat in the European Parliament as an independent candidate. Known for his affinity for former U.S. President Donald Trump—often wearing his signature red baseball caps—Simion describes the party’s approach as “Trumpist.” Following last year’s parliamentary elections, AUR emerged as the second-largest party in the Romanian parliament.
Controversial Policies and Bans
AUR has gained traction by aligning its policies with those of Trump’s MAGA movement, emphasizing social conservatism and advocating against military aid to Ukraine. The party’s popularity surged during the COVID-19 pandemic as it harnessed anti-science sentiment by opposing government-imposed restrictions and promoting conspiracy theories about vaccines on social media.
In 2024, Simion was barred from entering Ukraine for three years due to what the Ukrainian government termed “systematic anti-Ukrainian activities.” He refutes claims of being anti-Ukrainian or pro-Russian, insisting that his stance is solely pro-Romanian. Additionally, he has faced bans from entering Moldova, where authorities accused him of jeopardizing national security.
Simion has expressed his discontent with the European Union, threatening to disregard EU regulations that he disagrees with, although he maintains that Romania should remain a member of the bloc. He vehemently opposes being labeled as far-right.
He has cited Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as an inspiration, advocating for the “Melonization” of Europe. Echoing her sentiments, he remarked, “Believe me, there will be a Simionization as well,” signaling his ambition for a significant political transformation.
Following the annulment of last year’s presidential election—where a far-right candidate was disqualified amid allegations of Russian interference—Simion’s political profile significantly increased. He has positioned the repeat election as a fight for “democracy, the people’s will, the rule of law and the constitutional order,” even promising to appoint the disqualified candidate to a prominent role if elected.
His recent theatrical gestures, such as presenting flowers to the center-left candidate Elena Lasconi during a televised debate, further illustrate his disruptive political style. This election marks a pivotal moment for Simion, transitioning from a fringe figure to the leader of the far-right in Romania, with the potential to become the most influential figure in the country if he secures victory at Cotroceni Palace, the presidential residence in Bucharest.