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Will a Nationalist Become Romania’s President?

As Romania heads to presidential elections scheduled for May 4, 2025, George Simion, leader of the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), is raising concerns with his views on territorial claims and interethnic relations.

🇲🇩 Unification with Moldova

Simion has long advocated for the unification of Romania and Moldova, calling it a “historical imperative.” He argues that the separation of the two countries serves external geopolitical interests rather than the national interests of the Romanian people. However, his radical statements and actions led to a ban on his entry into Moldova, which was extended in 2024 until 2029.

🇺🇦 Attitude Toward Ukraine

Simion holds a contradictory stance on Ukraine. While he has condemned Russian aggression and called President Putin a war criminal, he opposes providing military aid to Ukraine and supports ending the conflict through negotiations. In November 2024, Ukraine’s Security Service banned him from entering the country for three years due to “systematic anti-Ukrainian activities,” including undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Simion also supports restoring Romania’s 1940 borders, which include parts of modern-day Ukraine, such as Northern Bukovina and Southern Bessarabia.

🇭🇺 Attitude Toward the Hungarian Minority

Simion is known for his anti-Hungarian rhetoric. In 2019, he was involved in clashes with activists from Romania’s Hungarian minority over a cemetery dispute in Valea Uzului. He accused the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) of inciting ethnic tensions.

Romania’s upcoming presidential election may become a turning point for the country’s domestic and foreign policy—and for its neighbors as well.