In what many are calling a severe blow to democracy, Romania’s Liberal-Globalist establishment canceled the first round of elections amid unfounded claims of a Russian influence operation on social media. The situation worsened when they barred the favorite candidate, Calin Georgescu, from participating in the May re-elections.
Yet, the spirit of Romanian resilience shines bright as George Simion, a right-wing leader, emerges at the forefront of the polls. Simion, head of Romania’s second-largest party, garners increasing support after Anamaria Gavrila withdrew from the race to endorse him.
As Reuters reported, Gavrila affirmed, “We decided to support the one who has the most chances (of winning)… We must go beyond parties and, as Mr. Georgescu said, we must support this movement by giving it all the chances.”
Simion’s transformation of his party from an anti-vaccination group during the COVID pandemic to a major opposition force speaks to his strategic acumen. “Today, more than ever, Romania needs the unity of its national forces,” he declared on social media.
Notably, Simion has been banned from Ukraine, demanding that Kiev show greater respect for Romanian ethnic minorities, including their schools and churches. The Telegraph reported his remarks on Romania’s contributions to Ukraine’s war efforts: “We helped a lot with the Ukrainian war efforts, with money, with guns, with cyber and with humanitarian aid. Training of soldiers under the defense treaty can continue for defensive missions only if Ukraine learns how to behave and to respect the rights of the 500,000 Romanian speakers in Ukraine…”
Simion emphasized the need for Ukraine to show respect and reciprocate Romania’s support, stating that the Romanian population is increasingly dissatisfied with the current state of affairs.
With polls favoring him for the upcoming election rerun, Simion aims to unite the hard-Right, a challenging yet crucial endeavor. He further advocates for a peaceful re-unification with Moldova, clarifying, “We will not demand territories… I want to unite with the Republic of Moldova, but only if the Republic of Moldova will want it. I cannot go with guns and bombs and tanks in Putin-style, in Stalin and Hitler-style.”
