Is Romania becoming a new crossbar in the EU, or is the country keeping its pro-European course?

A month -long turbulent election struggle for the presidency in Romania comes to an end. On Sunday, Romanians choose their president for the next five years. The fight goes between George Simion (38), leader of the Radical-Right Party Aur and the independent and the pro-European Nicusor Dan (55), the current mayor of Bucharest.

In the first round, Simion won with great ease. He received 41 percent of the votes, much more than the 30 percent expected in the polls. Nicusor then narrowly made the second round by beating the candidate of the government parties. Both candidates are strongly opposed to the established parties in Romanians and their profit can be seen as a protest voice of the Romanian majority.

With the choice between Simion and then, Romania chooses pro-European (then) between an isolationist, inside-in future (Simion) or a pro-European (then).

Simion, who in the past held himself as a right -wing activist in circles of football hooligans, is very critical about the European Union, wants to stay in NATO, but is against Romanian support for Ukraine. Brussels fears that Simion can become a crossbar in European unity, just like Slovakia and Hungary. In his election campaign, Simion successfully copies Trumps Leus ‘Make Romania Great Again’ and also appeared in Poland to support the candidate of the National-Conservative PIS party.

Against corruption

Mathematician, on the other hand, speaks out for Europe, fights corruption and wants to limit the influence of security services on politics. He has been fighting corruption from the state for decades and argues for more greenery in the cities.

Especially city dwellings voted for him in the first round, in the rural regions, Simion was the big winner. Few give a chance against Simion in the second round – he is seen as too progressive, is too unknown and receives little support from other parties. Although the polls rise the same in the last days, they were not a good indicator for the final outcome in previous elections.

The presidential elections in Romania have been chaotic in recent months after the previous elections were declared invalid in November due to possible Russian influence. The ultranationalist candidate Calin Georgescu, who won the first round in November, was even excluded from the elections.

Although there was evidence of a manipulated campaign via Tiktok that Georgescu helped – while he hardly had any fame before the elections – his exclusion led to much criticism in Romania. Supporters of Georgescu labeled it as a ‘coup’, also established politicians showed criticism.

Simion is seen as the successor of Georgescu and also supported by the ultranationalist and pro-Russian candidate. Simion also promises Georgescu, who is being prosecuted for electoral fraud, as prime minister when he becomes president.

Biggest opposition party

Simions Party Aur is the second party and therefore the largest opposition party in the country. And that while the party was only founded six years ago – with the aim of reunification with Moldova. In Romania there is a lot of dissatisfaction with corruption, poverty and the negligence of the established parties to do something about it. That also explains the rise of Dan, who explicitly positions itself as an independent candidate.

The president in Romania is especially important for foreign policy and defense. Romania is an important NATO partner, thanks to various large military bases and training grounds and border on Ukraine. Moreover, the largest NATO base in Europe is being built at the port city of Constanta.

To share

Mail the editors