Călin Georgescu, previously known for his staunch opposition to George Simion, has recently shifted his stance and announced support for Simion's presidential campaign following his own disqualification from the upcoming elections. This unexpected alliance marks a significant turn of events within the political arena of Romania as the May presidential elections approach.
On March 11, 2025, the Constitutional Court of Romania upheld the decision of the Central Electoral Bureau to invalidate Georgescu's candidacy, leading him to pivot and endorse Simion, the leader of the AUR party. This change has not come without its controversies, harkening back to Georgescu's harsh criticisms of Simion from November 2024. At the time, he insinuated through various platforms, including social media, doubts about Simion's ability to lead effectively.
“Mă adresez și dumneavoastră, domnilor și doamnelor din partidul AUR. Vă întreb sincer: sunteți siguri că George Simion este omul care poate conduce România?”, Georgescu posed, expressing skepticism about Simion's candidacy. His concerns stemmed from what he perceived as possible connections between Simion and the ruling PSD party.
Georgescu’s firm disapproval extended to claims about Simion being “omul altora, al celor care nu au nimic în comun cu binele poporului”—the man of others who do not have the people's best interests at heart. Despite these claims, Georgescu's perspective seems to have undergone dramatic transformation following his removal from the race; he is now advocating for Simion’s leadership.
During his announcement on March 12, Simion indicated, alongside Anamaria Gavrilă, his plans to continue the sovereignist movement with Georgescu's approval. This development was unexpected, especially after Georgescu’s vehement opposition just months earlier. “Cadrul din care transmitem acest mesaj nu este unul constituțional și democratic, trebuie să revenim la normalitate și la turul II,” Simion stated, emphasizing the urgency for political normalization heading toward the elections.
Simion, alongside Gavrilă, has declared their intent to run for the presidency, noting the intricacies of their campaign strategy, which involves the possibility of one candidate withdrawing should both candidacies be validated. Their announcement was made amid growing anticipation within their political circles and the need for coordinated efforts to gather support.
Evidence of their proactive approach is evident; Simion announced plans for both teams to start collecting signatures for their presidential candidacies shortly. “Dacă ne mișcăm și lumea se mișcă în ritmul ăsta, pentru că este o emulație, sunt cozi la această oră în sediile noastre de partid din țară,” he noted, showcasing the enthusiasm brewing among their supporters.
This collaborative dynamic signals not only a response to Georgescu’s earlier exclusion but also portrays the internal unification efforts within the sovereignist camps as they prepare for the May elections. The deadline for filing initial candidacies looms large, with Simion targeting to submit his files by March 14, 2025, and Gavrilă following suit with her submission set for March 15, 2025.
What lends additional depth to this narrative of political alliance is Georgescu’s last-minute call for integrity. Post his electoral disqualification, he emphasized the need for voters to heed their conscience: “După tot ce s-a întâmplat azi, la Curtea Constituțională, vă spun că voi rămâne ferm în semnalul meu pentru libertate, democrație, pace și demnitate.” His entreaty to vote with conscience was underscored by the discontent with the current political system, vivifying the ideas of freedom and democracy.
With both Simion and Gavrilă holding steadfast to their campaign trajectories, they now face the monumental task of consolidifying their voter base and overshadowing their opponents. The alliances formed out of necessity and the underlying tensions showcased by Georgescu's earlier criticisms create not only intrigue but also raise questions about the prospective shifts in the political flavor of Romania.
Negotiations, shifting loyalties, and consolidations will likely continue as the elections draw near. With both political movements maintaining momentum, these developments signal the complex interplay of opinions and motivations driving the Romanian political scene. Whether this move by Georgescu to join hands with Simion strengthens their chances or merely serves as temporary relief from the electoral exclusion remains yet to be seen, but the March elections are shaping up to be anything but ordinary.