Romanian opposition leader George Simion has commended JD Vance for highlighting the erosion of free speech and democracy in Europe after admitting the establishment "tried to reject my candidacy" ahead of his country's election in May.
The leader of the conservative Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR), is leading in the polls with a campaign pledge to restore democratic values and fight back against what he perceives as the erosion of freedoms both in Romania and across Europe.
With the recent annulment of the 2024 election, where Călin Georgescu emerged victorious, fears of interference and manipulation have intensified.
Georgescu obtained the most votes (22.95 per cent) in the first round of voting on November 24, running on a campaign of strengthening Romania's defence capabilities, diversifying Romania's diplomatic relations, increasing support for farmers, promoting energy and food production, and reducing dependency on imports.
However, just two days before he was scheduled to take part in a runoff against Elena Lasconi, the Constitutional Court of Romania cancelled the presidential elections without issuing a reason.
Speaking to GB News, Simion declared: "We are fighting for the rule of law and for democracy."
"The people should decide for themselves, not unelected bureaucrats from Brussels."
He commended the Trump administration and JD Vance for highlighting the erosion of free speech and democracy in Europe, stating: "JD Vance’s Munich speech was like ointment to our souls, as we are fighting for justice and the return of democracy and free elections in Romania."
The AUR leader pointed to the annulment of recent elections as evidence of undemocratic practices taking hold.
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"There was no foreign interference—just people upset with a government that fails to improve the situation. The establishment didn’t like the candidate who won, so they annulled the elections," he claimed.
The annulment, he argued, shows a failure to trust the electorate and a system that prioritizes elites over citizens' voices.
To restore balance, Simion is advocating for a return to a Europe that respects national sovereignty and the right of citizens to make decisions without undue external influence.
"We are hoping to return to a sovereign nation united in a Europe of union that respects our right to be conservative and to raise our children as we see fit," he said.
Simion continued by criticising the growing authoritarianism in Brussels and pointing to policies that he believes threaten traditional values.
He drew particular attention to laws around gender identity and family rights.
"I see children mutilated by so-called changes of gender, and if their parents speak out, the state takes their children away from them," he said.
With a little over a month until the election, Simion has risen as a strong candidate with one opinion poll published on Monday showing him leading with 35 per cent of the vote.
If the polling is reflected in the results next month, it would deliver a landslide win for Simion over former prime minister Victor Ponta, who currently polls at 21.1 per cent and independent candidate Bucharest mayor Nicușor Dan, who polls at 20.8 per cent.
"I’m the leader of the most important opposition party in Romania- the conservative party," he asserted.
"They tried to reject my candidacy, but it would have been too much.
"I’m on the ballot representing the free will of the Romanian people."
When asked about his pledge to voters, the opposition leader said: "We are fighting to reduce taxes, cut red tape, and improve transparency in local and central government."
Simion insisted that Romania’s future hinges on a return to fair, free elections and the rule of law.
"Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me," he says. "It isn’t possible for an EU country to repeat a coup d'état twice in a row."
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The leader of the conservative Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR), is leading in the polls with a campaign pledge to restore democratic values and fight back against what he perceives as the erosion of freedoms both in Romania and across Europe.
With the recent annulment of the 2024 election, where Călin Georgescu emerged victorious, fears of interference and manipulation have intensified.
Georgescu obtained the most votes (22.95 per cent) in the first round of voting on November 24, running on a campaign of strengthening Romania's defence capabilities, diversifying Romania's diplomatic relations, increasing support for farmers, promoting energy and food production, and reducing dependency on imports.
However, just two days before he was scheduled to take part in a runoff against Elena Lasconi, the Constitutional Court of Romania cancelled the presidential elections without issuing a reason.
Speaking to GB News, Simion declared: "We are fighting for the rule of law and for democracy."
"The people should decide for themselves, not unelected bureaucrats from Brussels."
He commended the Trump administration and JD Vance for highlighting the erosion of free speech and democracy in Europe, stating: "JD Vance’s Munich speech was like ointment to our souls, as we are fighting for justice and the return of democracy and free elections in Romania."
The AUR leader pointed to the annulment of recent elections as evidence of undemocratic practices taking hold.
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"There was no foreign interference—just people upset with a government that fails to improve the situation. The establishment didn’t like the candidate who won, so they annulled the elections," he claimed.
The annulment, he argued, shows a failure to trust the electorate and a system that prioritizes elites over citizens' voices.
To restore balance, Simion is advocating for a return to a Europe that respects national sovereignty and the right of citizens to make decisions without undue external influence.
"We are hoping to return to a sovereign nation united in a Europe of union that respects our right to be conservative and to raise our children as we see fit," he said.
Simion continued by criticising the growing authoritarianism in Brussels and pointing to policies that he believes threaten traditional values.
He drew particular attention to laws around gender identity and family rights.
"I see children mutilated by so-called changes of gender, and if their parents speak out, the state takes their children away from them," he said.
With a little over a month until the election, Simion has risen as a strong candidate with one opinion poll published on Monday showing him leading with 35 per cent of the vote.
If the polling is reflected in the results next month, it would deliver a landslide win for Simion over former prime minister Victor Ponta, who currently polls at 21.1 per cent and independent candidate Bucharest mayor Nicușor Dan, who polls at 20.8 per cent.
"I’m the leader of the most important opposition party in Romania- the conservative party," he asserted.
"They tried to reject my candidacy, but it would have been too much.
"I’m on the ballot representing the free will of the Romanian people."
When asked about his pledge to voters, the opposition leader said: "We are fighting to reduce taxes, cut red tape, and improve transparency in local and central government."
Simion insisted that Romania’s future hinges on a return to fair, free elections and the rule of law.
"Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me," he says. "It isn’t possible for an EU country to repeat a coup d'état twice in a row."
Find Out More...