George Simion seeks diaspora vote abroad in final days of Romanian election

George Simion Courts Diaspora Support Abroad as Romanian Election Nears Final Stage

Presidential candidate shifts campaign focus to Romanians abroad, signaling confidence and international ambitions

With only days remaining before Romania’s decisive presidential runoff on Sunday, hard-right candidate George Simion has taken an unconventional route—leaving the country to campaign across European capitals in a last-minute bid to mobilize diaspora voters.

Simion bypasses domestic debates, tours EU capitals

Rather than focus solely on domestic debates or media appearances, Simion has prioritized engaging the estimated six million Romanians living abroad. His recent stops included Brussels, London, Rome, and Paris, where he met with Romanian expatriates and conservative European leaders, positioning himself as both a national and international figure.

In an interview with Euronews and Euronews Romania at the European Parliament, Simion emphasized the strategic nature of his diaspora campaign, noting that voting for Romanians abroad begins earlier than in Romania.

“The first objective is to reach Romanians abroad, whose votes begin tomorrow. That’s why I’m going to Paris tonight,” he said.

Aiming to reshape perceptions: ‘We are pro-EU and pro-NATO’

Challenging accusations of isolationism, Simion insisted his campaign embraces European integration and transatlantic unity. He aligned himself with the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, citing close ideological ties with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Polish leaders such as former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and President Andrzej Duda.

“I will be a pro-European, pro-NATO president fighting for the Romanian nation’s interests,” Simion declared.

After meeting Meloni in Rome and sharing a joint message on social media, Simion hailed the Italian government as a model for Romania, praising its stability, leadership, and citizen-focused reforms.

Strategic alignment with Poland and Central Europe

Simion also visited Warsaw, where he participated in conservative rallies and met with President Duda. With both Poland and Romania holding presidential elections on the same day, Simion expressed hope for a strong bilateral alliance, should his Polish counterpart Karol Nawrocki also succeed.

“Morawiecki brought back half a million Poles. That’s the kind of leadership we want in Romania,” Simion said, highlighting shared values and migration reversal strategies.

Economic vision: Diaspora as catalyst for national revival

While critics warn that Simion’s election could deter investors and destabilize Romania’s economy, he is using his international platform to pitch a nationalist development agenda. His message is rooted in economic self-reliance, resource exploitation, and reversing emigration trends.

“Half of our active population lives abroad. We must attract foreign investment, develop local industries, and use our rich natural resources,” he said, referencing offshore gas, oil, and rare minerals.

Simion advocates what he calls “a model of economic cooperation and peace,” warning against the fragmentation of Western alliances into competing geopolitical blocks.

Security doctrine: US alliance, NATO, and a push for peace in Ukraine

Though previously accused of harboring pro-Russian sentiments, Simion strongly rejected those claims in his Brussels appearance. He described Russia as “the greatest threat” to Romania and reaffirmed Romania’s triple security foundation: the EU, NATO, and a strategic partnership with the United States.

“We don’t want divisions in the free world. We need unity, and we need peace in Ukraine through a ceasefire and negotiations,” Simion said, expressing hope that former U.S. President Donald Trump could broker peace if re-elected.

Hungary ties and admiration for Orban

Reports suggest that Simion’s campaign has maintained discreet contact with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government. While Simion denied direct talks, he praised Orban’s policy direction and called for future collaboration rooted in shared values.

“We want a Christian Europe that respects tradition and national identity. There are red lines, but also many shared interests,” he concluded.

As the Romanian presidential race enters its final phase, Simion’s international campaign strategy may prove decisive in swaying overseas voters. Whether it strengthens his domestic appeal or raises concerns over his ideological affiliations, his bold foreign tour has already made the diaspora a key battleground.

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for full coverage of Romania’s presidential election and the evolving political landscape in Eastern Europe.