Quote from Alex bobby on May 12, 2025, 4:49 AM

George Simion’s Last-Minute Pivot: From Hardline Nationalism to Courting Orbán and the Hungarian Vote

With Romania’s presidential runoff looming this Sunday, nationalist firebrand George Simion is leaving no stone unturned in his quest for victory. The leader of the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), Simion has stunned political observers by reaching across one of the deepest political divides in Romanian politics—extending a hand to the ethnic Hungarian community and seeking a partnership with Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

It’s a bold, some say desperate, pivot for a politician whose rise was fuelled by staunch nationalism and rhetoric often viewed as hostile toward ethnic minorities—particularly Hungarians. But this week, Simion has been rewriting his political script, urgently reframing his identity and platform in hopes of sealing the deal in the second round of the election, where he faces off against independent candidate Nicușor Dan.

From Nationalist Firebrand to “Euro-Realist”

Simion now insists he is not anti-European, nor pro-Russian, despite years of political branding to the contrary. “I am a Euro-realist,” he told Euronews earlier this week. “We want a Europe of nations.”

He’s also seeking to distance himself from accusations of aligning with Russian interests, claiming he was one of the first to push back against Kremlin propaganda in Romania. This rebranding is happening as part of a broader effort to shift the tone of his campaign and appeal to a wider electorate.

And one key part of that electorate? Romania’s more than 1 million ethnic Hungarians, mostly concentrated in the Transylvania region—longtime voters for the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR/RMDSZ), a party historically close to Orbán’s Fidesz government.

Courting Orbán and the Hungarian Vote

Simion’s sudden admiration for Viktor Orbán’s leadership has been impossible to miss. In recent interviews and at the presidential debate hosted by Euronews Romania, Simion openly praised the Hungarian prime minister for defending Christian values and national sovereignty inside the EU.

“I would like in many aspects to follow in the footsteps of Viktor Orbán,” he said, calling Fidesz and UDMR “serious political partners.” He even acknowledged that many of Orbán’s policies “will become state policy in Romania.”

This charm offensive has not been limited to speeches. Political sources suggest that emissaries from Simion’s campaign have been in contact with Orbán’s government ahead of the vote, hoping to channel the Hungarian leader’s influence among ethnic Hungarians in Romania. Orbán appeared to endorse Simion’s sentiments, posting on X (formerly Twitter): “We assure the Romanian people and their future president: Hungary stands for unity, not division.”

Simion quickly replied: “We have a fight to win together.”

Backlash From UDMR Leadership

But not everyone is buying Simion’s sudden change of tone.

UDMR President Kelemen Hunor delivered a scathing response, calling Simion a “charlatan” and warning that his record speaks for itself. “Each cell in his body represents the principle that Hungarians don’t have a place in Romania,” Hunor said in a video posted on Facebook.

He cited Simion’s past opposition to the use of the Hungarian language and symbols in Romania, and accused him of exploiting ethnic tensions for political gain. Hunor also pointed to Simion’s association with figures like Călin Georgescu, known for echoing Kremlin narratives, as further evidence of hypocrisy.

A Wider Geopolitical Play?

Beyond Romania’s borders, Simion is also pitching himself as a new node in a budding international alliance of far-right populists. He has aligned himself ideologically with the U.S. Republican Party and former President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement.

“In the same way Giorgia Meloni works with the GOP, we will work with the Trump administration,” Simion declared. He envisions a future in which Romania and Poland, both holding elections in May, are led by pro-MAGA presidents—forming a new conservative bloc on NATO’s eastern flank.

A High-Risk Strategy

Whether this late-stage pivot will pay off is far from certain.

Simion emerged from the first round with a clear lead, but recent polls show a tightening race with Nicușor Dan, who has drawn support from centrists, urban voters, and those wary of AUR’s hardline positions. Simion’s attempt to soften his image and court new voters may help him expand his appeal—or it could backfire, alienating his nationalist base and failing to convince skeptical minorities.

One thing is clear: George Simion is playing for high stakes. By pivoting from populist purism to geopolitical pragmatism, he’s hoping to redefine not only his campaign—but possibly the future direction of Romanian politics.

As voters head to the polls on Sunday, the big question remains: will Romania buy into George Simion 2.0?

conclusion 

As Romania braces for a decisive presidential runoff, George Simion’s pivot from hardline nationalism to strategic diplomacy marks a dramatic shift in tone and tactics. By seeking an alliance with Viktor Orbán and courting the ethnic Hungarian vote, Simion is attempting to broaden his appeal and redefine his political brand. Whether this transformation is seen as genuine outreach or calculated opportunism will be up to Romanian voters to decide on Sunday. One thing is certain: the outcome of this election could reshape not only Romania’s future but also the balance of power across Central and Eastern Europe.