George Simion is a Romanian politician and nationalist activist, born on September 21, 1986, in Focșani, Vrancea County. He is the founder and current leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), a far-right political party established in 2019.
George Simion began his civic activism in 2004, advocating for the unification of Romania and Moldova. He founded organizations such as Action 2012 and the Alliance for the Centenary, organizing events and protests to promote this cause. His activism led to multiple bans from entering Moldova, where he was designated a persona non grata.
In 2019, Simion ran as an independent candidate in the European Parliament elections, securing 117,141 votes. Later that year, he co-founded AUR, which gained significant attention in the 2020 parliamentary elections by securing 9% of the vote. Simion has been re-elected as a deputy in Bucharest and became the sole chairman of AUR in 2022.
In the 2025 presidential election, Simion won the first round with 41% of the vote, leading to a runoff against pro-European candidate Nicușor Dan, the current mayor of Bucharest, who received 21% . The election was a rerun following the annulment of the November 2024 vote due to alleged Russian interference. Simion’s platform includes nationalism, Euroscepticism, and opposition to military aid to Ukraine.
Early Life and Family
Early Life
George Simion was born in Focșani, a city in Vrancea County, Romania. Raised in a middle-class family, he was influenced by the traditional values of the region, which shaped his nationalist sentiments. From a young age, Simion demonstrated a keen interest in Romania’s historical and cultural heritage.
Family Background
Simion comes from a family that values Romanian history and nationalism. However, there is little public information available about his immediate family members, as Simion has generally kept his personal life out of the public eye. Despite his political prominence, his family remains relatively private, with little exposure in media outlets.
Education and Academic Background
Simion completed his secondary education at the Gheorghe Lazăr National College in Bucharest. Afterward, he pursued higher education at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Iași, where he earned a master’s degree in history.
Political Career
Activism and Early Political Views
George Simion’s journey into politics began as a civic activist, particularly focusing on the idea of Romanian-Moldovan unification. In 2004, at the age of 18, he became involved in activism through the organization Action 2012, which aimed to promote the reunification of Romania and Moldova. He later founded the Alliance for the Centenary, a group dedicated to celebrating Romania’s centennial in 2018 and advocating for national unity.
Simion’s activism was not without its challenges. His controversial views on unification led to him being banned from entering Moldova several times. In 2015, he was even declared a persona non grata by the Moldovan government due to his involvement in protests and other activities advocating for Romanian-Moldovan unity.
Founding AUR (Alliance for the Union of Romanians)
In 2019, George Simion co-founded the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), a far-right political party that quickly gained attention for its nationalist rhetoric. The party, which positions itself as a defender of Romanian sovereignty and traditions, has gained significant support from voters who are disillusioned with the political establishment. AUR advocates for a Romania that is independent, nationalist, and firmly against European Union policies that they view as detrimental to national identity.
AUR’s platform includes a variety of issues, from Euroscepticism to strong opposition to LGBTQ+ rights and liberal social policies. Simion’s leadership within the party has been instrumental in shaping its political agenda and mobilizing voters, particularly those who feel left behind by Romania’s increasing alignment with European norms.
2020 Parliamentary Elections
Simion’s political rise reached new heights in the 2020 parliamentary elections, where AUR secured around 9% of the vote, a remarkable achievement for a newly formed party. This success demonstrated the growing popularity of nationalist and Eurosceptic ideologies in Romania. The election results allowed Simion and his party to secure a seat in the Romanian parliament, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his political career.
Presidency Bid in 2025
In the 2025 presidential election, Simion made history by winning the first round with 41% of the vote. This achievement placed him in a runoff against Nicușor Dan, the mayor of Bucharest, who received 21% of the vote. The election was a rerun due to claims of Russian interference in the original 2024 vote. Simion’s platform for the presidency has centered on nationalism, opposition to military aid to Ukraine, and a pro-Trump stance. His Eurosceptic views and controversial positions have raised concerns within the European Union and NATO.
Controversies and Criticism
Far-Right Rhetoric
Simion’s political rhetoric has attracted significant criticism from various quarters. His views on LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, and Romania’s relationship with the European Union have placed him at odds with mainstream political figures in Romania and across Europe. He has openly opposed same-sex marriage and various liberal social policies, which has led to accusations of intolerance and extremism.
Bans and International Relations
Simion has also faced several bans from entering countries like Moldova and Ukraine due to his controversial views and activities. His pro-Russian sympathies have been a subject of debate, particularly given his opposition to the military aid that Romania has provided to Ukraine. However, Simion denies being pro-Russian and insists that Romania must maintain strong NATO ties for its security.
Personal Life and Family
Marital Status and Family Life
George Simion is a private individual when it comes to his personal life. Little is known about his wife or children, as Simion has kept these details out of the public eye. Despite his growing political fame, he maintains a relatively low profile regarding his family life, with no substantial media coverage on his marriage or children.
Net Worth
George Simion’s net worth is difficult to estimate accurately due to his political career’s nature and his reluctance to disclose financial information. However, as a public figure and leader of a growing political party, his net worth is believed to be significant, primarily from his political career and involvement in various nationalistic organizations.
Conclusion
George Simion’s journey from a passionate civic activist to a prominent political leader is a testament to the rise of nationalism in Romania. With his deep-rooted beliefs in Romanian unity and sovereignty, Simion has carved out a space for himself in the Romanian political landscape. His leadership of AUR and his candidacy in the 2025 presidential election have made him one of Romania’s most polarizing figures.
FAQs
Who is George Simion?
George Simion is a Romanian nationalist politician, leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), and a prominent figure in Romania’s far-right political scene.
What is George Simion’s stance on the European Union?
Simion is a Eurosceptic, opposing Romania’s integration into the EU and advocating for more national sovereignty.
What is George Simion’s position on LGBTQ+ rights?
Simion opposes same-sex marriage and has criticized liberal social policies, which has sparked controversy among liberal groups.
What is George Simion’s background in education?
George Simion holds a master’s degree in history from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Iași.
How did George Simion rise to political prominence?
Simion’s rise began with his activism for Romanian-Moldovan unification and later as the leader of AUR, where he gained significant support in the 2020 parliamentary elections.
What was George Simion’s role in the 2025 presidential election?
Simion won the first round of the 2025 presidential election, securing 41% of the vote and advancing to a runoff against Nicușor Dan.
Is George Simion pro-Russian?
While Simion has faced accusations of being pro-Russian due to his opposition to military aid for Ukraine, he denies these claims and supports NATO’s presence in Romania.
Is George Simion married?
Details about George Simion’s marital status are kept private, with little public information about his wife or children.
