George Simion, born in 1986 in Focșani, is now emerging as one of the central figures in Romanian politics. At 38, he embodies a new generation of nationalist leaders, breaking away from the worn-out figures of the post-communist transition. After long advocating for the unification of Romania and Moldova, he channels popular resentment. Moreover, this resentment is fueled by social inequalities, persistent corruption, and the loss of identity markers. In 2025, driven by a wave of distrust against the elites, he leads the first round. Furthermore, he obtains nearly 41% of the votes in the presidential election.
His breakthrough reflects a profound political realignment. Romania has long been perceived as a model student of the European Union in terms of reforms. However, it is now traversed by sovereignist and conservative currents. Thus, Simion’s success illustrates the end of a European consensus once predominant among major political formations.
An Atypical Political Trajectory
George Simion began his commitment to the Romanian national cause in Moldova, a symbolic theme for many Romanians attached to the idea of a lost historical unity. From his early actions, he faced several entry bans into the neighboring country. However, far from resigning, he politicizes this ostracism and asserts himself as a champion of the trampled national identity.
In 2019, he founded the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), then perceived as a marginal group. At the time, his party garnered less than 1% in the European elections. Moreover, his initial failure fuels a patient grassroots strategy, focused on small towns, rural areas, and rural diasporas.
In the 2020 legislative elections, the AUR surprised by obtaining nearly 9% of the votes, benefiting from a dynamic of rejection of traditional parties, accused of collusion with foreign interests.
Simion thus captures a society exhausted by decades of economic difficulties and political disillusionment. From 2020 to 2025, he weaves a network of loyal supporters. Furthermore, he multiplies local tours and campaigns on social networks. Thus, he appears as the unavoidable alternative.
The Values and Programs Advocated by George Simion
George Simion presents himself as the defender of a sovereign Romania, rooted and resistant to European acculturation. Thus, he promotes a "Greater Romania," a nostalgic concept uniting the historical Romanian territories beyond current borders. This claim, although without immediate consequence, flatters a deep national sentiment, exacerbated by regional tensions.
A declared opponent of same-sex marriage and "woke propaganda," he carries a conservative societal discourse that resonates in a Romania where the Orthodox Church retains considerable influence. Furthermore, he denounces the European Union as a "technocratic and disconnected" system. However, he pragmatically affirms the importance of keeping Romania within the Western alliance.
His electoral program emphasizes reducing bureaucracy. Moreover, he massively supports traditional families and protects national economic interests. Additionally, he advocates for policies to repatriate Romanian medical workers. This workforce is exiled in Western Europe due to a lack of local opportunities.
On the international stage, he aligns with the MAGA movement of Donald Trump, sharing its anti-system rhetoric and distrust of multilateral commitments.
George Simion in the European Context
The rise of George Simion is part of a significant trend of distrust towards European institutions. Like Giorgia Meloni in Italy or Viktor Orbán in Hungary, he proposes a rooted sovereignism, concerned with preserving national identity in the face of migratory flows and liberal norms imposed from Brussels.
His party is a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group. He advocates for a Europe of nations rather than increased integration. Thus, Simion embodies an alternative to integrationist models, claiming a flexible political union based on respect for sovereignties.
However, unlike an Orbán, his discourse is less openly Russophile, aiming to reassure a population still marked by the memory of Soviet domination.
Challenges and Controversies
George Simion remains a highly divisive figure. Accused of obscure connections with Russian agents, notably by Moldovan officials, he vigorously refutes these allegations. However, his ambivalent positions on the Ukrainian conflict fuel suspicions, in a Romania where pro-Western alignment is historically strong.
He also sparks controversy with his references to controversial figures in Romanian history, such as certain former dignitaries. These figures are accused of having repressed the 1989 revolution.
Moreover, his communication strategy is heavily focused on TikTok and alternative media. This earns him accusations of manipulating young voters.
Finally, his implicit project to redefine national borders raises fears of regional destabilization. At a time when Eastern Europe remains a highly sensitive strategic area.
An Emblematic Figure of European Political Upheavals
George Simion illustrates the profound transformation of Romanian politics and, beyond that, of European democracies facing a challenge to the liberal order. Thus, his meteoric rise reveals the extent of the rejection of traditional elites, fueled by economic, cultural, and societal crises.
In 2025, he presents himself as a major player capable of redefining Romania’s trajectory. This occurs in a tense geopolitical context. His figure, whether perceived as a threat or an opportunity, symbolizes a turning point. Moreover, his rapid ascent highlights how the sovereignist and populist temptation remains strong at the heart of contemporary Europe. Indeed, the "wind of history" seems to have changed direction.