2025-05-04T21:28:38Z

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George Simion, a prominent figure in Romanian politics, has garnered attention with his ultranationalist views and his unabashed admiration for former U.S. President Donald Trump. An activist from a young age, Simion pursued a degree in history at university, where he became deeply involved in political activism. He notably participated in street protests advocating for the unification of Romania with its neighboring country, Moldova. This irredentist ideology reflects a desire to reclaim territories perceived as historically belonging to Romania, a sentiment that resonates with a segment of the Romanian population.

In 2019, after a previous unsuccessful attempt to secure a seat in the European Parliament as an independent candidate, Simion founded the political party known as AUR (Alliance for the Union of Romanians). His party has made significant strides, especially following the parliamentary elections held last year, where it emerged as the second-largest political party in the Romanian parliament. AUR's rapid ascent in Romanian politics has been attributed to its alignment with several of Trump's key policy positions, such as social conservatism and a strong pro-Christian, pro-family rhetoric.

One of the more controversial stances of Simion and AUR is their opposition to military aid for Ukraine, a position that has sparked debate both domestically and internationally. The party's popularity surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, capitalizing on widespread anti-science sentiment. AUR actively campaigned against government measures aimed at limiting the spread of the virus and propagated various conspiracy theories related to vaccines across social media platforms. Their messaging found a receptive audience among those skeptical of government interventions.

In 2024, Simion faced significant backlash from Ukraine, resulting in a three-year ban from entering the country due to what Kyiv described as “systematic anti-Ukrainian activities.” Despite these accusations, Simion vehemently denies any intent to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty or support Russian interests, claiming instead to prioritize Romanian interests above all. His contentious relationships extend to Moldova as well, where he has faced repeated bans, with Chișinău asserting that his actions pose a threat to national security.

Further complicating his political narrative, Simion has openly criticized the European Union. He has threatened to defy EU laws that he finds objectionable, yet he maintains that Romania should continue its membership in the bloc. In a recent interview with POLITICO, Simion dismissed the label of 'far-right' often associated with his party and its policies, opting instead to frame his platform as a legitimate expression of Romanian nationalism.