Romania is heading back to the polls on May 4 and 18 for a re-run of its presidential election, following a dramatic voiding of the original December vote by the Constitutional Court over allegations of Russian interference—claims that Moscow firmly denies.
At the heart of this high-stakes election stands George Simion, the controversial leader of the far-right Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR), and the current front-runner to win.
Simion, a staunch nationalist and vocal admirer of the U.S. President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, has positioned himself as the only candidate capable of preventing a potential withdrawal of U.S. troops from Romania.
The issue has become central to the campaign amid growing unease in Eastern Europe, as reports suggest Washington may be considering a reduction in its military footprint in the region—a move that could reshape NATO’s eastern frontier.
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“Losing American troops in Romania would be dangerous,” Simion declared during a five-hour press marathon late Friday. “I’m the only candidate who can stop that. We are natural allies, ideologically aligned with the Republican Party and the MAGA movement.”
Romania, a NATO and EU member, finds itself caught in a broader geopolitical tug-of-war between Western allies and the influence of rising far-right populism. The cancellation of the December election has already stirred controversy, with Simion branding it a “coup against democracy.”
He argued that such an action could provoke the U.S. into reevaluating its military commitment to Romania. “Did those who staged the coup on December 6 expect the U.S. not to react, not to withdraw troops, not to question the legitimacy of the process?” he asked rhetorically.
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Simion’s rise has been meteoric. Once on the fringes as a leader of an anti-vaccine movement during the COVID-19 pandemic, his AUR party has evolved into Romania’s second-largest political force.
His populist message, delivered with fiery rhetoric and often nationalist overtones, resonates with working-class voters, young Romanians, and the country’s large diaspora, all disillusioned by the perceived failures of mainstream politics.
However, his platform is not without controversy. The 38-year-old has long advocated for restoring Romania’s pre-World War II borders—territories that now belong to Moldova, Ukraine, and Bulgaria. As a result, Simion has been declared persona non grata in both Moldova and Ukraine.
On Friday, he called the bans “abusive restrictions enforced by individuals with Soviet reflexes,” vowing that such measures would be lifted once he becomes president.
His foreign policy positions are likely to ruffle feathers beyond Romania’s borders. Simion has pledged to cut military aid to Ukraine, criticized the current leadership of the European Union, and expressed opposition to Holocaust education and same-sex marriage.
At the same time, he supports increasing Romania’s defense spending, provided it stimulates domestic industry rather than benefiting foreign suppliers.
The upcoming election re-run places Romania at a crossroads—not just in terms of domestic politics, but also in its role within the transatlantic alliance and the European project. With Simion leading the charge, the nation could be heading into uncharted and potentially turbulent political waters.
As Romania braces for this pivotal vote, the outcome will not only decide who leads the country but could also reshape its alliances, policies, and position in an increasingly fragmented global landscape.
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