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The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Making nationalism scary again
THANKS are owed to Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and – in a special mention – JD Vance: The aggressive nationalism and chaos these three men promote have made far-right populism scary again, swinging several recent elections, including Romania's presidential vote on May 18. That should be welcome news for anyone who recognises the potential damage a nationalist free-for-all can inflict. But make no mistake, without a radical transformation in their approach, this reprieve for traditional parties of the centre right and left will be short-lived. First, there was Canada, where Trump's trade wars and talk of turning the country into the 51st US state helped erase a commanding opinion poll lead for the country's Maga-lookalike Conservative Party. Then, on May 18, Bucharest's mayor and maths nerd Nicusor Dan scored an equally dramatic, come-from-behind victory to win Romania's presidency. He ran as a moderate independent against George Simion, a nationalist who also had nailed his colours to Trump's mast. Vance ruffled feathers in Romania earlier in 2025, when he used the country's annulment of a first-round presidential vote in November 2024 to accuse Europe of abandoning democracy. Vance dismissed the basis for that court decision – intelligence findings of a massive TikTok campaign organised and paid for by Russia – as 'flimsy'. But a raft of evidence has emerged to support the ruling. In Romania's case, the biggest shift driving the May 18 result was Putin's act of hybrid warfare. Russia's Manchurian candidate was banned from standing again. But when Simion won May's first-round rerun even more convincingly, his success prompted a backlash. Turnout soared for the run-off. Bucharest crowds willing Dan to his 54% to 46%victory chanted: 'Russia don't forget, Romania is not yours.' In fact, the vote may well have been swung by the huge increase in participation by voters in neighbouring Moldova, where more than one million people have dual Romanian citizenship. Simion and his Alliance for the Union of Romanians party cried foul, but so far without providing evidence. It is explanation enough that they were pledging to reunify Moldova with Romania and halt military aid to Ukraine. Both proposals pose existential threats to the small ex-Soviet state, one from the west and the other from the east. These are skin-of-the-teeth escapes for political elites who seem yet to have grasped the scale of the anger felt by voters who want genuine change. Warning lights were flashing this past weekend, too, in Portugal, where the ruling centre-right coalition increased the number of seats it controls in Parliament in the May 18 snap election. Yet it still failed to gain a majority and the day's bigger story was that the far-right Chega party surged to 23% of the vote, mainly at the expense of the centre-left socialists. The country's traditional two-party system now looks broken. There is a lesson here for all centrist parties, especially those on the left that have lost the trust of their traditional bedrock support among blue-collar workers. If they are to survive, these politicians must now be seen to deliver the fundamental change and economic improvement so many voters want. Managing and tinkering will not cut it. Poland shows the challenge. Former European Council president Donald Tusk and his Civic Platform party won back power from the populist Law and Justice Party in late 2023. But delivering on reform promises has proved tough, especially with a Law and Justice president still in office to block legislative change. On May 18, Warsaw's mayor and Tusk ally Rafal Trzaskowski emerged from a first-round presidential vote with a slender lead over his Law and Justice rival, according to exit polls. Strong showings from two other far-right candidates suggest an uphill struggle to win the run-off. Trzaskowski pledged to 'speed up changes'. There is a similar dynamic at play across Western democracies. It does not matter that Brexit has clearly failed to deliver on any of its promises in the United Kingdom, or that Trump and his administration at times resemble an out-of-control clown car as much as a government in office. The point is they are breaking things, which is what many voters want to see. And so long as Maga-like populists are the only ones offering radical change, they will probably be able to ride a growing tide of voter frustration. So yes, Trump and Putin's clumsy aggression is for now undercutting the credibility of their populist acolytes in Western democracies. Yet this respite will count for little if moderates cannot find ways to show they recognise the need for change, and effect it. That is admittedly a tall order. Improving productivity and healthcare, while still tackling climate change and halting Russian aggression in Europe, is infinitely harder than feeding anti-vax conspiracy theories and culture wars, or promising unaffordable handouts. But leaders who recognise the vast damage populist chaos can cause will have to be more bold. They need to pick fights, take risks and break some taboos of their own. Romania's new president, to name just one example, should use his meaningful, if limited, powers to launch a high-profile assault on corruption, forcing him into open warfare with the traditional parties that not only run the government and legislature, but also helped him win the run-off. This will require levels of political courage not yet on display. But it is probably also, at this point, a binary choice. If centrist politicians cannot address the fury so many voters feel over the failure of an era of unprecedented wealth creation and cultural change, then it is only a matter of time before those leaders are roadkill. – Bloomberg Opinion/TNS
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Romania's top court rejects far-right candidate Simion's bid to annul presidential election results
Romania's Constitutional Court on May 22 unanimously rejected an application by defeated presidential candidate George Simion to annul the election results, the court announced in a statement. Days before, Simion, leader of Romania's far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), appealed the results despite conceding defeat to pro-EU candidate Nicusor Dan on May 18. He asked to annul the Romanian presidential elections due to "external interferences by state and non-state actors." Simion cited a post from Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, who claimed a "Western European government" asked the company to restrict "conservative voices in Romania." The court rejected Simion's application as "unfounded." Dan, the mayor of Bucharest, secured 53.6% of the vote in the runoff, defeating Simion's 46.4%, according to Romania's electoral authority. "The massive vote on May 18 shows that Romanians believe in change and are calling for the reform of institutions that have disappointed them," Dan said after the court approved the results. Romania's previous presidential election, held in November 2024, was annulled by the Constitutional Court following evidence of foreign manipulation, including pro-Russian disinformation campaigns. That vote was won by populist candidate Calin Georgescu, who openly promoted conspiracy theories and described Ukraine as a "fictional state." Bucharest has played a critical role in Ukraine's defense, signing a bilateral security pact with Kyiv, facilitating grain exports, and providing key air defense systems. Dan has pledged to continue Romania's support for Ukraine, strengthen ties with the EU, and uphold democratic institutions. President Volodymyr Zelensky invited him to Ukraine for talks, noting the "nearest opportunities for us to meet." Read also: Why Washington failed to end the Russo-Ukrainian War We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Far-right candidate Simion contests Romanian election loss, alleges foreign interference
George Simion, leader of Romania's far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), announced on May 20 that he will appeal the results of the May 18 presidential election, despite conceding defeat to pro-EU candidate Nicusor Dan. Dan, the mayor of Bucharest, secured 53.6% of the vote in the runoff, defeating Simion's 46.4%, according to Romania's electoral authority. The result signals a rejection of Simion's anti-Ukraine, nationalist platform and comes amid renewed scrutiny of foreign influence in Romanian politics. "I officially ask the Constitutional Court to annul the Romanian presidential elections for the same reasons the December elections were annulled: external interferences by state and non-state actors," Simion wrote on X. Simion cited a post from Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, who claimed a "Western European government" asked the company to restrict "conservative voices in Romania." "The testimony of the founder of Telegram... is revealing. I demand his testimony before the elections are recognized as valid," Simion said, also accusing Moldova of facilitating "electoral tourism" that unfairly benefited his opponent. Romania's previous presidential election, held in November 2024, was annulled by the Constitutional Court following evidence of foreign manipulation, including pro-Russian disinformation campaigns. That vote was won by populist candidate Calin Georgescu, who openly promoted conspiracy theories and described Ukraine as a "fictional state." Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us Simion has faced criticism throughout the campaign for pro-Kremlin rhetoric and repeated calls for Ukraine to compensate Romania for its aid. During a May 8 debate, he argued, "Ukraine needs us, we don't need Ukraine," and labeled the donation of a Patriot missile system to Kyiv as "national treason." In contrast, Dan has pledged to continue Romania's support for Ukraine, strengthen ties with the EU, and uphold democratic institutions. Following the vote, President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Dan in a call on May 19. "We respect Romania and the choice of the Romanian people. This is a country on which much depends when it comes to security issues," Zelensky posted on X. "It is important that support for Ukraine continues." Bucharest has played a critical role in Ukraine's defense, signing a bilateral security pact with Kyiv, facilitating grain exports, and providing key air defense systems. Zelensky invited Dan to Ukraine for talks, noting the "nearest opportunities for us to meet." The Center for Local Politics (CPL), a domestic Romanian organization aligned with Georgescu's campaign, said it had launched legal procedures to contest the election. Read also: Romania's new president faces daunting challenges after surprise victory over far-right upstart We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Bloomberg
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Russia and America Have Made Nationalism Scary Again
Thanks are owed to Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and - in a special mention — JD Vance: The aggressive nationalism and chaos these three men promote have made far-right populism scary again, swinging several recent elections, including Romania's presidential vote on Sunday. That should be welcome news for anyone who recognizes the potential damage a nationalist free-for-all can inflict. But make no mistake, without a radical transformation in their approach, this reprieve for traditional parties of the center right and left will be short-lived. First there was Canada, where Trump's trade wars and talk of turning the country into a 51st US state helped erase a commanding opinion poll lead for the country's MAGA-look-alike Conservative party. Then, on Sunday, Bucharest's mayor and math nerd Nicusor Dan scored an equally dramatic, come-from-behind victory to win Romania's presidency. He ran as a moderate independent against George Simion, a nationalist who also had nailed his colors to Trump's mast. Vance ruffled feathers in Romania earlier this year, when he used the country's annulment of a first-round presidential vote in November to accuse Europe of abandoning democracy. Vance dismissed the basis for that court decision – intelligence findings of a massive TikTok campaign organized and paid for by Russia — as 'flimsy.' But as I wrote shortly before the May 4 rerun of the first round vote, a raft of evidence has emerged to support the ruling. In Romania's case, the biggest shift driving Sunday's result was Putin's act of hybrid warfare. Russia's Manchurian candidate was banned from standing again. But when Simion won this month's first round rerun even more convincingly, his success prompted a backlash. Turnout soared for the runoff. Bucharest crowds willing Dan to his 54% to 46% victory chanted: 'Russia don't forget, Romania is not yours.' In fact, the vote may well have been swung by the huge increase in participation by voters in neighboring Moldova, where more than 1 million people have dual Romanian citizenship. Simion and his Alliance for the Union of Romanians party cried foul, but so far without providing evidence. It's explanation enough that they were pledging to reunify Moldova with Romania and halt military aid to Ukraine. Both proposals pose existential threats to the small ex-Soviet state, one from the west and the other from the east. These are skin-of-the-teeth escapes for political elites who seem yet to have grasped the scale of the anger felt by voters who want genuine change. Warning lights were flashing this weekend, too, in Portugal, where the ruling center-right coalition increased the number of seats it controls in parliament in Sunday's snap election. Yet it still failed to gain a majority and the day's bigger story was that the far-right Chega party surged to 23% of the vote, mainly at the expense of the center-left socialists. The country's traditional two-party system now looks broken. There is a lesson here for all centrist parties, especially those on the left that have lost the trust of their traditional bedrock support among blue-collar workers. If they're to survive, these politicians must now be seen to deliver the fundamental change and economic improvement so many voters want. Managing and tinkering won't cut it. Poland shows the challenge. Former European Council President Donald Tusk and his Civic Platform party won back power from the populist Law & Justice Party in late 2023. But delivering on reform promises has proved tough, especially with a Law & Justice president still in office to block legislative change. On Sunday, Warsaw mayor and Tusk ally Rafal Trzaskowski emerged from a first-round presidential vote with a slender lead over his Law & Justice rival, according to exit polls. Strong showings from two other far right candidates suggest an uphill struggle to win the runoff. Trzaskowski pledged to 'speed up changes.' There's a similar dynamic at play across Western democracies. It doesn't matter that Brexit has clearly failed to deliver on any of its promises in the UK, or that Trump and his administration at times resemble an out-of-control clown car as much as a government in office. The point is they're breaking things, which is what many voters want to see. And so long as MAGA-like populists are the only ones offering radical change, they'll probably be able to ride a growing tide of voter frustration. So yes, Trump and Putin's clumsy aggression are for now undercutting the credibility of their populist acolytes in Western democracies. Yet this respite will count for little if moderates can't find ways to show they recognize the need for change, and effect it. That's admittedly a tall order. Improving productivity and health care, while still tackling climate change and halting Russian aggression in Europe is infinitely harder than feeding anti-vax conspiracy theories and culture wars, or promising unaffordable handouts. But leaders who recognize the vast damage populist chaos can cause will have to be more bold. They need to pick fights, take risks and break some taboos of their own. Romania's new president, to name just one example, should use his meaningful, if limited, powers to launch a high-profile assault on corruption, forcing him into open warfare with the traditional parties that not only run the government and legislature, but also helped him win the runoff.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'It is important that support for Ukraine continues' — Zelensky congratulates Romania's President-elect Dan after election
President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 19 called with Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan to congratulate him on his victory in the Romanian presidential election. Dan, running on a centrist, pro-EU platform, won 53.6% of the vote in a presidential runoff on May 18, defeating his far-right rival, George Simion. "We respect Romania and the choice of the Romanian people. This is a country on which much depends when it comes to security issues," Zelensky said on X. "We are deeply grateful for Romania's contribution to protecting the lives of our people. It is important that support for Ukraine continues." Zelensky said he had invited Dan to Ukraine and discussed the "nearest opportunities for us to meet." Dan's victory is a positive signal for both the EU and Ukraine, as the president-elect has vowed to maintain the country's pro-Western path. The Bucharest mayor, who is set to replace acting President Ilie Bolojan in the Presidential Palace, publicly supported continued aid for Ukraine, presenting it as crucial for Romania's own security. Ukraine's neighbor and NATO member, Romania, has been a key ally to Kyiv during Russia's full-scale invasion, providing a Patriot air defense missile system and facilitating the transit of Ukrainian grain amid Russian threats to Black Sea shipping. Simion, leader of the ultranationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), has pledged to oppose further aid for Ukraine if elected and said he would demand repayment for the assistance already provided. The far-right leader has been banned from entering Ukraine over his "systematic anti-Ukrainian activities." Read also: Nicusor Dan wins Romanian presidential election, defeating anti-Ukraine Simion We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
