Nationalist George Simion finished first in the Sunday presidential election. With about 40% of the vote he secured a seat in the second round. But his margin of triumph among the diaspora was even greater — received support from more than 60% of Romanians abroad. Nicosor Dan, the centre mayor of Bucharest, obtained only 25 percent of the emigrant vote.
A powerful cocktail of ultranationalist rhetoric, anti-establishment messages, and a relentless run on TikToku helped Simion gain popularity abroad. “I don’t know if those in diaspora realize that through their voice they can destruct this country,” warned Cristian Paun, a well - known Romanian economist.
“Savior, leader, messiah”
About 4 million Romanians live and work abroad. Far from 19 million countries, they search better economical and educational opportunities. Italy, Spain and Germany have become home to the largest number of Romanian migrants. In all 3 countries, voters backed Simion massively, and over 70 percent of the votes cast went to a hard right-wing leader. Many of them do physical, frequently low-paid work, and found itself in Simion's politics and rhetoric, a staunch anti-establishment troublemaker who blames for many of the country's woes for the stagnation of the political class.
— Most in Spain and Italy are usually seasonal workers, and so those who have left the country due to what they consider very low socio-economic conditions, says Oana-Valentina Suciu, an adjunct of political discipline at the University of Bucharest.
Although Romania's economy has improved importantly over decades since emerging from the communist dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu, This country is inactive plagued by corruption and lower standards of surviving than richer Western and Northern Europe.
“ Simion was the only individual who virtually visited mediocre areas in Romania and Romanian communities in the diaspora, so he was the 1 who seemingly paid attention to them, even if in fact the solutions he proposed were completely unrealistic, ” explains Suciu.
Simion, who supports the MAG Donald Trump program, wants to unite Romania and Moldova, called for the end of allied military assistance to Ukraine and promised to break EU law if it did not agree with the dictatorship of Brussels.
— What he's offering them seems a very easy solution to their problems “ Sucia says. “ That is why they are looking for a kind of savior, leader, messiah.
He adds that for another voters Simion's support was little related to his actual policy, and more with opposition to the establishment. “They always argue the system, no substance who the candidates are,” she said. “ They usually choose those who consider themselves outsiders.
In 2 weeks, Simion will face Nicusor Dan. This will be the first time a candidate from 1 of the mainstream parties — social democrats or national liberals — won't go to second circular of elections.
— The vote is clear rejection The ruling coalition. Both Simion and Dan are seen as an “anti-system”, although they are politically diametrically different, says Oana Lungescu, erstwhile NATO's chief spokesperson and associate of the Think Tank Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security. — On May 18, Romanians will face a hard choice between an ultranationalist and a pro-Western candidate.
TickTok Effect
The elections in Romania in November ub.r. were cancelled after the authorities revealed the Russian social media influence operation, in peculiar on TikToku, in favour of the ultranationalist Calin Georgescu.
It besides seems that social media can yet play a immense function and in these elections. Simion utilized them with excellent effect to scope the Romanians abroad, having 1.4 million followers on TikTok. Since Monday, his films have been liked 30 million times.
— It is very active on social platforms, especially specified as Instagram and TikTok, which do not require besides much attention, just scroll and watch pictures and messages “ Sucia says.
Vlad, a Romanian immigrant surviving in Belgium who preferred not to give his name, says that Simion's triumph would “be impossible without TikTok”. — It is simply a product of TikToka and launched all its movement, among others. thanks to disinformation on Covid “ he explains.
EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT / PAPGeorge Simion during a protest in front of the Romanian wellness Ministry. Bucharest, 13 April 2021.
AUR Simion's organization fueled conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 pandemic, opposing government measures to limit the spread of the virus and disseminating false information on vaccinesto usage the wave of anti-scientific moods.
— In fact, it exploded during the pandemic [...]. He inactive lives on TikTok, filming everywhere, so in a way he presents this truly authentic personality he has built, says Vlad. He adds that most Romanians surviving in the diaspora are not well educated and are susceptible to the populist rhetoric of Simion and its activities on social media.
— The vast majority of them are people who do not have specified a advanced level of education, working in truly heavy, boring competitions [...]. We talk about truck drivers, we talk about construction workers, people who care for older people, he says. “They have always lived in their bubbles, in their communities, sending all the money they earned back home, [...] surviving rather alone.
Simion missed conventional media to talk straight to disillusioned voters from the diaspora, promising to perceive to their concerns — and they thanked him on Sunday, helping him advance to the first place and possibly gain the presidency.
