Meloni 2.0
Simion has cited right-wing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as a political hero and called for the “Melonization” of Europe.
George Simion founded his AUR party in 2019 after a failed bid for election to the European Parliament as an independent. | Robert Ghement/EPA
“Believe me, there will be a Simionization as well,” he told POLITICO last November, shortly before Romania’s annulled presidential election, in which he placed fourth.
In the months since that election result was scrapped — far-right shock winner Călin Georgescu was disqualified and a new vote ordered by the country’s constitutional court after the Romanian authorities alleged Russian interference propelled him to victory — Simion’s profile has soared.
Vigorously denouncing the cancelation of last year’s election, he has framed the do-over as a battle for “democracy, the people’s will, the rule of law and the constitutional order,” and vowed to appoint Georgescu to a top role if he is elected.
At a televised debate between presidential candidates last month, he showed up with a bouquet of flowers for Elena Lasconi, the center-left candidate who came second at last year’s annulled vote, before walking out in protest over the canceled election.
The theatrical stunt epitomizes