George Simion: Early Life and Education
George-Nicolae Simion was born on 21 September 1986 near Focșani, in Vrancea County, then part of the Socialist Republic of Romania. His parents were both economists; his father worked for the Romanian Development Bank. A pivotal childhood memory for Simion was attending the 1995 opening of Romania’s first McDonald’s, which he later cited as formative in shaping his critical views of Western capitalism’s influence in post-communist Romania.
Simion completed secondary school at Gheorghe Lazăr National College in Bucharest (2005), obtained a bachelor’s degree in Business and Administration from the University of Bucharest (2008), and earned a master’s degree in History from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Iași (2010), focusing on the crimes of communism.
George Simion: Activism and Civil Involvement (2004–2019)
Simion began his civic activism in the early 2000s, notably protesting in support of the Romanian Revolution and Moldovan students. He co-founded the Action 2012 platform in 2011, advocating for the unification of Romania and Moldova. He organised multiple events, including the Centenary March in 2018, covering 1,300 km to promote Romanian-Moldovan unity.
His activism led to multiple bans from entering Moldova, with Simion being declared persona non grata in 2015 and again in 2018 for “endangering national security.” He was also briefly banned from Ukraine in 2024 for alleged “systematic anti-Ukrainian activity.”
Entry into Politics and Founding of AUR
Simion entered politics in 2019, running independently in the European Parliament election, where he earned over 117,000 votes but failed to win a seat. He subsequently founded the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) on 19 September 2019 with a focus on nationalism, conservatism, and the unification of Romanians globally.
AUR gained unexpected traction in the 2020 parliamentary election, securing 9% of the national vote and becoming the fourth-largest party in Parliament. In 2024, the party surged again, becoming the second-largest in both legislative chambers.
Controversies and Criticism
Simion and AUR have been described as far-right, ultranationalist, anti-LGBT, and anti-vaccine, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Critics have accused AUR of promoting conspiracy theories and inflammatory rhetoric. Controversial endorsements—such as former military officers involved in repressing the 1989 Revolution—have further drawn condemnation.
Simion’s involvement in protests, confrontations with politicians, and inflammatory public statements (including a recent one suggesting those who “committed the coup” be “flayed in public”) have reinforced his reputation as a polarizing political figure.
George Simion Presidential Campaigns and Rise to Power
Simion first ran for president in November 2024, finishing fourth with 13.86% of the vote. The election was annulled due to allegations of Russian interference, particularly concerning surprise winner Călin Georgescu, whom Simion supported.
Simion re-entered the race in 2025 and surged in popularity. By 4 May 2025, he secured 40.96% of the vote**, finishing first in the first round. He is now set to face Nicușor Dan in a runoff on 18 May 2025.
George Simion: Political Views and International Alignments
EU and NATO: Simion criticizes EU overreach but supports Romania’s continued membership. He emphasizes national sovereignty and has threatened to disregard EU laws he deems anti-Romanian. He supports NATO but claims Russia poses no major threat to the alliance.
United States: Simion is a vocal admirer of Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, attending Trump’s 2025 inauguration and the CPAC conference. He styles AUR’s politics as “Trumpist.”
Israel and Palestine: He supports Israeli settlements in the West Bank and has acknowledged Romania’s Holocaust legacy, vowing to combat antisemitism.
Ukraine and Russia: Initially condemning Putin as a war criminal, Simion has shifted toward advocating a negotiated peace, aligning with Trump’s stance. He was banned from Ukraine in 2024.
Moldova: Simion’s core ideology remains the unification of Romania and Moldova, describing it as a “historical imperative.”
Poland and European Conservatism: He has aligned AUR with Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS) party and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, becoming a vice-president of the ECR in January 2025.
Personal Life
Simion lives modestly in a 52 m² studio apartment in Bucharest and claims to donate 90% of his parliamentary salary to civic causes. He married Ilinca Munteanu in August 2022, and they have a son, Radu, born in April 2024. Simion ranked among the least wealthy candidates in the 2025 presidential race.
Published Works
Simion has authored two books:
“Blocați în labirint” (2017) – A historical analysis of Moldova post-independence.
“Cum i-am cunoscut” (2019) – A political memoir reflecting on his interactions with prominent Romanian figures.
Electoral History (Selected)
| Year | Election | Votes | Percentage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | EU Parliament (Independent) | 117,141 | 1.29% | Not elected |
| 2024 | Presidential (AUR) | 1,281,327 | 13.86% | 4th place |
| 2025 | Presidential (AUR) | 3,862,761 | 40.96% | 1st place in Round 1 |
Legacy and Future Prospects
George Simion represents a profound political shift in Romania. His blend of nationalism, conservatism, and anti-establishment populism has energized a large voter base disillusioned with traditional parties. With the runoff against Nicușor Dan pending, Simion stands on the brink of becoming Romania’s next president, potentially reshaping the country’s role within the EU, NATO, and its domestic policies for years to come.
Singapore PM Lawrence Wong Leads Singapore’s Ruling Party, PAP to Landslide Election Victory
Australia: Who is Anthony Albanese, the Australian PM from very humble background
Belgium: Who is Bart De Wever, Belgium’s first-ever Flemish nationalist prime minister
https://parliamentjournal.com/2025/05/08/europe-george-simion-wins-first-round-of-romanias-presidential-rerun/