In a dramatic turn of events, Marine Le Pen, the French nationalist figurehead whose ambitions for the upcoming presidential election have been thwarted by what many perceive as globalist legal maneuvering, has openly backed Romanian presidential contender George Simion. This move is poised to ignite a political tempest as Romania gears up for its runoff election on May 18.
As the leader of France’s National Rally and a vocal proponent of European sovereignty, Le Pen did not shy away from her criticism of the European Commission’s endorsement of the annulment of Romania’s initial presidential election. In that vote, the anti-globalist candidate, Călin Georgescu, had claimed victory.
“The presidential elections were simply canceled—with the blessing of the European Commission,” she asserted, highlighting the shocking decision to nullify Romania’s 2024 electoral process. To Le Pen, the Commission’s silence equates to complicity. Her support for Simion signals her hopes that he can strike a significant blow against the Brussels establishment.
“I want to express my full and complete support for George Simion, who triumphed in the first round with over 40% of the vote,” she proclaimed. “Romania has just handed Ursula von der Leyen a very nice boomerang.”
En Roumanie, l’élection présidentielle a été purement et simplement annulée, avec la bénédiction de la Commission européenne.
Je veux dire, ici, mon plein et entier soutien à George Simion, arrivé en tête du premier tour dimanche dernier, avec plus de 40 % des voix ! @PatriotsEU pic.twitter.com/sr4aexwEc2
— Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) May 11, 2025
Simion, head of the AUR party and a self-proclaimed guardian of Romanian sovereignty, has welcomed Le Pen’s endorsement enthusiastically. “Romania first. No more foreign dictates. No more betrayal of our people,” he declared, calling for a united Europe of sovereign nations advocating for true freedom and democracy.
Merci beaucoup pour votre soutien, @MLP_officiel !
Ensemble – pour une #Europe des nations, pour la défense de la #liberté et de la vraie #démocratie !
Material publicitar politic
CMF 31250007
CPP A1B1C1D1E1 TUR2 https://t.co/COaxTiLqgy— George Simion (@georgesimion) May 12, 2025
This prominent endorsement has elevated Simion’s candidacy into a broader critique of European globalism. While his opponent, the technocratic left-liberal mayor Nicușor Dan, represents the Macron–von der Leyen axis of centralization, Simion is positioning himself as a beacon for the anti-globalist right, now bolstered by Le Pen, one of its most powerful allies in Europe.
Le Pen’s backing is not merely a gesture; it’s a calculated strategy. Her statement marks a burgeoning transnational coalition among nationalist factions eager to confront Brussels’ dominance over European political affairs. By endorsing Simion, she signals that the populist tide sweeping through countries like Hungary, Italy, and Slovakia is now gaining momentum in Romania, potentially heralding the end of left-liberal globalist hegemony within the EU.
Le Pen’s assertion that the annulment of the vote was an EU-endorsed power grab highlights an unsettling truth: democratic outcomes are often only tolerated when they align with Brussels’ interests.
Simion’s campaign channels a disruptive energy reminiscent of Donald Trump’s 2016 surge. He has labeled his opponent a “globalist puppet supported by Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen” and has pledged to implement policies inspired by Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, emphasizing Christian values, national identity, and prioritizing Romanian families.
“If I win, Romania won’t send a single leu abroad,” Simion vowed during a heated debate. “We’ll cease funding foreign wars and focus on our own citizens.”
His message is resonating with the electorate. In the first round, Simion decisively outperformed Dan, surging ahead by nearly two million votes—despite facing a media landscape that has been unsupportive of his rise.
Romania: According to final results, Simion (AUR–ECR) secured a sweeping victory, winning in nearly every county. Antonescu (PSD/PNL/UDMR – S&D|EPP) performed well in areas with a high proportion of ethnic Hungarians. While Dan (*–RE) won in just two key urban centres: Cluj and… pic.twitter.com/Lzudqacrju
— Europe Elects (@EuropeElects) May 5, 2025
Simion’s escalating popularity has understandably unsettled the elite in Brussels. Valérie Hayer, a Macron ally and the leader of the left-liberal globalist Renew group in the European Parliament, has launched an urgent campaign to rally Romanian expatriates in France against Simion.
“We’re facing a major democratic test,” she cautioned, claiming that Simion’s agenda could lead Romania down a path akin to Hungary, while simultaneously attempting to associate him with “pro-Russian” sentiments—a classic move from the globalist playbook.
Yet, these scare tactics appear to be losing their efficacy. Many Romanians, fatigued by external dictates and unfulfilled promises, seem increasingly inspired by Simion’s unabashed nationalism rather than the EU’s hollow moralizing.
On May 18, voters in Romania will face a stark choice: continue along the EU’s road of managed decline or follow leaders like Simion who pledge to prioritize the nation and its people. Currently, Simion is leading the polls with a projected support of 52%.
Romania, CURS poll:
Presidential run-off election
Simion (AUR-ECR): 52% (-2)
Dan (*-RE): 48% (+2)+/- vs. 03-10 April 2025
Fieldwork: 08-11 May 2025
Sample size: 3,042➤ https://t.co/UhvC4YNJL2 pic.twitter.com/kmsTnHco5e
— Europe Elects (@EuropeElects) May 13, 2025
As Le Pen succinctly put it: “No more betrayal. No more dictates. It’s time for a Europe of nations.”
