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Romania has spoken—and the message is loud and clear: the people are fed up with the establishment, with Eurocentric elites, and with half-hearted compromises. George Simion, born in 1986 and leader of the nationalist AUR (Alliance for the Union of Romanians), has stormed to the top of the presidential race, securing an impressive 39.96% in the first round. While not enough for an outright win, this result sets the stage for a likely historic victory in the upcoming runoff, and it opens a new chapter not only for Romania but also for the broader European conservative movement.
Who is George Simion?
An indefatigable activist and charismatic leader, George Simion has emerged as the voice of a new Romania—one that demands dignity, sovereignty, and national pride. Founder of the AUR party, Simion is also Vice President of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Party, alongside France’s Marion Maréchal and Italy’s Carlo Fidanza. He’s unapologetically anti-establishment, deeply patriotic, and a great admirer of Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni.
Speaking to Il Giornale, Simion stated: “Romania must return to being a true democracy. I’ve been fighting for that ever since the coup of last December. Instead of evolving in the 35 years since communism fell, our country has become a hybrid regime, where institutions meant to defend the Constitution end up annulling elections. The Romanian people no longer trust the old political class, those responsible for this national disaster. My first promise is to restore democracy and end violations of free speech and citizens’ rights.”
On Meloni, he added: “I admire Giorgia Meloni—she is a model for us. She has shown the world that defending national sovereignty is not only possible but necessary. Today, Italy is more respected in Europe because it has a government that truly defends its own interests.”
A Crisis of Democracy: The Annulled Election
Simion’s rise comes on the heels of an unprecedented political crisis. In November 2024, Calin Georgescu, a fellow nationalist, won the first round of the presidential elections, only for the result to be controversially annulled by the Constitutional Court amid claims of Russian interference. The move was widely condemned by conservative forces and the broader public as an institutional coup, revealing the fragility of Romanian democracy under globalist pressures.
In response, Simion and his AUR party turned the annulment into a rallying cry. “We are here for one purpose,” he declared during a symbolic visit to the polling station with Georgescu, “to restore constitutional order and democracy.” Georgescu, for his part, denounced the new election as “a fraud orchestrated by those who have turned deception into state policy.”
The First-Round Results: Simion in the Lead
In the latest vote, Simion emerged as the clear frontrunner with 39.96% of the vote. He will face independent candidate Nicusor Dan, the mayor of Bucharest, who secured 20.70%, narrowly beating the more traditional pro-EU figure Crin Antonescu.
Other candidates trailed behind: former Prime Minister Victor Ponta, running on a Trump-style “Romania First” platform, garnered around 10%, while journalist-turned-politician Elena Lasconi hovered at 7%.
One particularly significant detail: turnout among Romanians living abroad tripled compared to November, and Simion claimed a staggering 73% of the vote in Italy alone. This surge reflects the deep connection between Simion and the Romanian diaspora, and their hunger for a Romania that reclaims its voice.
In a victory video posted on social media, Simion proclaimed: “Brothers and sisters from near and far, today we made history. We are heading toward an extraordinary result, far beyond what the system’s media—who only know how to divide, distort, and lie—wanted you to believe. Today, the Romanian people have spoken! It’s time to be heard!”
Cyberattacks and Electoral Irregularities
The stakes were high, and so were the risks. On election day, Romania was targeted by a cyberattack carried out by pro-Russian hackers. Government websites—including the Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Justice—were brought down, along with the campaign site of centrist candidate Crin Antonescu.
The cyberattack was claimed by the group NoName057(16), known for targeting European institutions with DDoS operations. Authorities managed to restore the websites within hours and insisted the voting process was not compromised.
Meanwhile, AUR reported serious irregularities at dozens of polling stations: deceased individuals still listed as voters, abuse of mobile ballot boxes, pressure on election officials, and even ballots pre-filled or stolen. “It’s a repeat of the fraud tactics we saw in November,” declared AUR officials Georgiana Teodorescu and Nicolae Vlahu.
Carlo Fidanza: “Simion Stood for Liberty, Sovereignty, and Truth”
Carlo Fidanza, the leader of Fratelli d’Italia’s delegation to the European Parliament and Simion’s colleague in ECR, flew to Bucharest to personally monitor the vote count. In an exclusive interview with La Voce del Patriota, Fidanza offered his reflections on Simion’s campaign and what it means for Europe: “Simion led a smart campaign. He channeled the Romanian people’s rightful indignation without ever resorting to violence or legitimizing the other candidates who shouldn’t have been running at all. His message was clear: liberty, democracy, and sovereignty. That’s why he won the first round decisively.”
On the slogan “Respect,” Fidanza added: “‘Respect’ wasn’t just a slogan—it became a rallying cry for freedom against the arrogance of the establishment.”
Fidanza also drew parallels between Simion and Meloni: “The mainstream media tried to vilify Simion just as they did with Giorgia Meloni. But the people are not stupid—they know truth when they see it.”
Meloni’s Silent Support—and a Strategic Shift in Europe
Although Giorgia Meloni has made no official comment, it’s no secret that she follows Simion’s progress closely. She reportedly congratulated him privately after the first-round result. If Simion wins the presidency on May 18, the ECR would hold four seats in the European Council—equal to Renew Europe and surpassing the Socialist bloc.
Simion’s potential victory would not only strengthen the conservative presence in EU institutions but also serve as a major strategic boost for countries like Poland and Hungary, who are already pushing back against the Brussels bureaucracy.
Fidanza commented: “We mustn’t get ahead of ourselves, but a Simion presidency would mean four ECR leaders in the Council—surpassing the Socialists. That’s historic. It would give us the leverage we need to steer Europe in the right direction.”
A New Europe of Sovereign Nations?
Simion’s message is not isolationist. He has repeatedly emphasized his commitment to NATO and to remaining part of the EU—on the condition that the Union be reformed to respect the sovereignty of its member states.
As Fidanza explained: “Romania is essential to the Atlantic alliance, the only Latin culture in a Slavic post-Soviet region, and a bridge to the Western Balkans. It has just entered the Schengen Area—a milestone for its people. Now, it needs strong leadership. Italy, under Meloni, can be a key partner in this process.”
Fidanza also described Simion as a friend and an exceptional leader: “George is a tireless worker, an outstanding organizer, and a leader with political intelligence. He avoids labels and detests political maneuvering. I hope the activist I’ve known for years becomes the great President Romania deserves.”
The Road to the Runoff: Simion vs. the System
On May 18, Simion will face Nicusor Dan, widely seen as the candidate of the Brussels bureaucracy. Dan enjoys support from urban elites and pro-EU factions, while Simion draws strength from rural areas, workers, families, and patriots who want real change.
Fidanza outlined the key strategy: “Keep the momentum. Speak to undecided voters. Avoid provocations. Simion is already preparing for the next campaign phase with clarity and focus.”
A Historic Turning Point
George Simion is not merely a frontrunner in a national election—he is the spearhead of a conservative revival in Eastern Europe. His potential presidency would echo beyond Romania’s borders, energizing those who believe in a Europe of nations, a Europe of peoples—not of anonymous technocrats and unaccountable globalists.
The conservative movement is alive, vibrant, and increasingly victorious. From Rome to Bucharest, from Warsaw to Budapest, the tide is turning. On May 18, Romania may choose not only a new president—but a new path forward for Europe.