(The answer that the result of the May 18, 2025 presidential elections will give us)
Author: Bogdan Ionescu
The renowned Oxford professor, Mr. Corneliu Bjola, summed up in a May 5, 2025 interview that we are witnessing the most critical political moment since the 1989 Revolution, with Romania at risk of sliding into fascism. His now-iconic warning (a grim caution to all those ignorant of or indifferent to the historical significance of May 18, 2025, the date of the second round of the presidential elections) reads: „But when Potra’s legionnaires will knock at the door with the blacklists, will you still be watching Netflix?”
We remember that on December 4, 2024 (in a post on my personal Facebook page – Bogdan Ionescu), I wrote: «I can very seriously imagine that I will be among those „purged” by the Călin Georgescu regime and his accomplices. What pitiful and tragic times we are living through, what darkness surrounds this sinister character, what a moral abyss, what a chasm of genuine spirituality. Legionary ideology, Nazism/fascism, visceral antisemitism, xenophobia, racism, glorification of war criminals, bigotry, pathological and morbid fanaticism, malevolence, anti-democracy — this is what awaits us and/or this is the reality we will be forced to live under if Călin Georgescu is elected president…”
As is well known (and will now provide only a very concise recap), the elections were annulled on December 6, 2024, by a decision of the Constitutional Court of Romania, thereby halting the second round, which was scheduled to take place on December 8, 2024, and was to decide the presidency between the finalists Călin Georgescu and Elena Lasconi. Subsequently, the entire electoral process for electing the President of Romania was restarted, during which Călin Georgescu’s candidacy was rejected/invalidated. In the end, the candidates who made it to the final round are Nicușor Dan and George Simion. My commentary from December 4, 2024, remains entirely relevant, however, because George Simion was a fervent supporter of presidential candidate Călin Georgescu. More than that, in an attempt to „steal” Georgescu’s voter base, he has publicly declared that if he (Simion) becomes President of Romania, he will appoint Georgescu as Prime Minister — or, through various (allegedly legal — sic!) schemes, the plan is for Călin Georgescu to ultimately become President after Simion’s prior resignation.
Is Romania’s slide toward fascism/legionary ideology (as Professor Bjola also warned) becoming a reality? Or, on the contrary, is it merely an unfounded fear, an exaggeration, or a misreading of the socio-political context? Does the good-faith Romanian citizen (or even a Western citizen who desires a strong and democratic Europe governed by the rule of law) have reason to be worried, even alarmed? Unfortunately, the facts and evidence are so numerous and compelling that one can conclude, with a high degree of probability, that the victory of the Simion & Georgescu tandem in the presidential elections (backed by the extremist parties A.U.R. & P.O.T., and possibly also S.O.S.) would lead to the establishment of an anti-democratic regime in Romania — a far-right, ultranationalist regime, inspired and fueled by a profoundly fascist/legionary ideology.
When making statements as weighty and serious as those above, one must also present convincing evidence and arguments. On the other hand, this is a press article (not a tome or an indictment), so the space available to the author is limited. Despite these inherent constraints, we will nonetheless present the aforementioned evidence and arguments (not all of them, but only those we consider most relevant at this moment). This compilation and systematization of data may prove useful in any context — past, present, or future — serving either as a reminder of what we have managed to avoid/prevent, or as a warning of the atrocities that awaits us.
- CĂLIN GEORGESCU
- Every individual is defined by their deeds and declarations. One is, ultimately, the sum of their actions — or inactions — and the words they choose to speak.” If we had only one chance to capture and present to a third party who Călin Georgescu truly is, we would show them the following publicly available audio-video fragment [Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLi_OzmcA7o], which has also been covered by the national press. We transcribe it below:
„In the new nationalism, we speak of a global-level patriotism, which is very much needed in these times. And the Legionary Movement — when the true history is finally written, because it hasn’t been written yet, but it will be — will be shown to have been the strongest essence and expression of health and self-determination to have emerged from the Romanian people. It was unique. It was not a copy of anything made by anyone else, regardless of what has been said or will be said against it. And even if this is not yet known, I want to draw the attention of those pseudo-historians and pseudo-intellectuals who are quick to throw mud, that this expression of health is part of the history of the Romanian people.
And the manipulation that exists today also existed back then, and even though the leader of the Legionary Movement, Corneliu Zelea Codreanu, along with nearly 17,000 commanders, was removed — what pains me is that this removal didn’t stir anyone else in the country. Because the devotion of the Legionary Movement showed us one thing that we still see today… it was not sufficient to create a strong state and to turn a mere population into a true people.”
It is also worth noting that this video was produced under the banner of the „Gogu Puiu and the Haiduks of Dobrogea” Association — an organization led by one of Călin Georgescu’s close associates, the neo-Legionary Eugen Sechila, as has been noted in the national press.
[2] We recall that the Legionary Movement was (as established by both historical consensus and court rulings) a paramilitary terrorist organization of nationalist-fascist orientation, with a mystical-religious character, and openly anti-communist, antisemitic, anticapitalist, and anti-Masonic. It was modeled after the Nazi SA and SS organizations.
Likewise, if we had only one opportunity to capture and present to a third party who Corneliu Zelea Codreanu (the leader of the Legionary Movement) truly was, then we would present the following excerpt from one of his messages:
«To Chancellor Adolf Hitler
With indescribable joy, I salute the victory of truth in German Austria. All the Judeo-Masonic powers are defeated before the triumphant light of truth.
You are the bearer of this light, and no power will ever be able to extinguish it.
March 12, 1938.»
[3] Călin Georgescu’s public discourse consistently includes the glorification of Corneliu Zelea Codreanu and Marshal Ion Antonescu (the latter being a convicted war criminal and former leader of the National Legionary State). One particularly relevant statement in this regard is the following [See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LlnbeJ1aYc]: „The Romanian people have never lived off the backs of slaves, but have lived through (…) Corneliu Zelea Codreanu, through Marshal Ion Antonescu, and many, many other heroes.”
- Călin Georgescu demonstrates a veritable cult of admiration for the war criminal Ion Antonescu, to the point of adopting his public rhetoric ad litteram [See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXEdYhUQ_p8], as well as for the Legionary Movement itself.
This is evident not only in the fact that he has surrounded himself with individuals who openly espouse Legionary views [among Georgescu’s close associates are figures such as Eugen Sechila, Horațiu Potra, Marian Motocu (a figure very close to candidate Călin Georgescu, described in monitoring reports by the „Elie Wiesel” National Institute as a person who systematically disseminates radically antisemitic and hate-inciting messages against Jews) and also Radu Theodoru, a general accused of treason, who, along with others, reportedly formed a paramilitary group aiming to overthrow the constitutional order in Romania].
But beyond these associations, Georgescu appears to be so deeply immersed in the doctrine and ideology of the Legionary Movement that (whether consciously or not) he recently performed what was clearly a Legionary salute in front of the General Prosecutor’s Office. The Legionary nature of this gesture was confirmed by multiple experts in the field.
Indeed, if one consults The Nest Leader’s Little Handbook (Cărticica Șefului de Cuib), written by Corneliu Zelea Codreanu himself, there is no ambiguity: Călin Georgescu’s gesture was a textbook Legionary salute. We quote: „Salute by bringing the right hand to the heart, then raising it toward the sky.”
- On other occasions (such as during an appearance on a television channel) Călin Georgescu has made, among others, the following statements. He claimed that Corneliu Zelea Codreanu fought „For the morality of the human being.” (this particular statement — along with others made during the same broadcast — rightfully scandalized the international press). When asked what heroic act Codreanu had performed, Georgescu replied: „The morality of the human being — that’s what he fought for.”
When asked how he views the Romanian Holocaust, for which Marshal Ion Antonescu is widely considered responsible (a figure Georgescu had previously referred to, in the same interview, as a hero of the Romanian nation and a genuine leader), he stated: „You must have respect wherever suffering exists on this planet, but in the face of the suffering of the Romanian people, I kneel.”
[6] At present, Călin Georgescu is under criminal investigation on charges including: initiating or forming an organization with fascist, racist, or xenophobic character; joining or supporting such a group in any form; publicly promoting the cult of individuals guilty of genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes; and advocating in public for fascist, Legionary, racist, xenophobic, or antisemitic ideologies, concepts, or doctrines — including the founding or supporting of organizations based on such ideas.
- GEORGE SIMION
- Although in recent months George Simion has made renewed efforts to temper his actions and public discourse (part of an image campaign aimed at presenting himself as a more respectable politician) his track record remains far too compromised for such a transformation to be credible.
In this regard, the alleged messages of support from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for candidate George Simion (even in the unlikely event that they are genuine) should be promptly reconsidered. It is unacceptable to endorse such a candidate merely because he recently declared he would not enforce the International Criminal Court’s warrant against Prime Minister Netanyahu, while ignoring his past actions and statements — spanning years — which have been profoundly antisemitic in nature.
As concluded by Global Focus Center, an independent international think tank: „AUR systematically practices a form of double discourse where the party and its leader systematically recruit pro-Russian voices and/or Holocaust deniers while at the same time giving periodically calming signals to the moderate and even mainstream voters.”
[2] George Simion ’s personal history is deeply interwoven with some of the most disturbing and dangerous attitudes and behaviors that run counter to Romania’s constitutional order, peace, and democratic values. These include: legionarism, antisemitism, chauvinism/extremist nationalism, discrimination, hate speech, racism, intolerance, xenophobia, separatism, various forms of violence, and a clear pro-Russian/Putinist affinity. In the following, we will focus strictly on the key aspects relevant to the topic of this article.
[3] A foreign press article also refers to the opinion of renowned Austrian historian Oliver Jens Schmitt (author of, among others, a biography of Corneliu Zelea Codreanu), who warned as early as 2022 about the rise of Călin Georgescu, noting his support among neo-Legionary circles. Schmitt draws a revealing comparison between Georgescu and his fervent supporter, George Simion: «Georgescu’s movement is supported by well-known representatives of the nationalist camp, including the Vice President of the Romanian Academy, Victor Voicu. Unlike Simion, Georgescu presents himself as a determined leader „for the nation and country”, guided by God. This language corresponds to the Legion’s diction, which is even clearer in Georgescu than in AUR.»
[4] By Decision No. 3087 of 18 October 2023, delivered by the BUCHAREST TRIBUNAL – 3rd Civil Division, the following was found/ruled: «Nevertheless, the court held that the statements made by the defendant are grounded in a factual basis, namely: the designation of AUR co-president George Simion as an undesirable person and the ban imposed on him from entering the Republic of Moldova; the nomination by this party of Călin Georgescu — a publicly known figure with pro-Russian affinities — for the position of Prime Minister; as well as the promotion or republication of press articles by Russian media outlets.
The court finds that these are matters of public record, readily accessible through a simple online search, and deems them sufficient to conclude that the defendant had a factual basis for her statements, contrary to the plaintiff’s assertions.
The court has taken into account the plaintiff’s defenses regarding Mr. Călin Georgescu, specifically the claim that he is not a member of the party and that his statements/opinions and public positions were expressed in a personal capacity, without any formal connection to the party. However, the plaintiff did not deny that Mr. Georgescu had been nominated by AUR for the position of Prime Minister in October 2021.
In this context, the court considers it reasonable to assume that when a person is nominated by a political party for the office of Prime Minister, that party agrees with and supports that individual’s statements, opinions, and public positions.»
[5] European Liberal Youth (LYMEC), a pan-European youth organization committed to promoting liberal values across the EU, has likewise written — with good reason — the following:
The AUR (we reiterate, the party whose president is George Simion – author’s emphasis) has a detailed and sordid history of celebrating prominent antisemitic political figures, with a special focus on those who were part or associated with the Iron Guard (also known simply as „Legionnaires”), a fascist paramilitary organisation from the pre-WWII period.
Confirming the above, Mr. Paul Shapiro (Director at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum) spoke very recently about the xenophobia and antisemitism promoted by Călin Georgescu, whose candidacy for the presidency of Romania was rejected by the Constitutional Court, as well as by „the leader of AUR (George Simion, in context – emphasis added), who shares and promotes the same hateful prejudices that divide.”
[6] The position expressed by presidential candidate George Simion regarding Marshal Ion Antonescu — one of relativization, and therefore unlawful, even criminal in nature — as reflected in his statement: „History will decide whether Marshal Antonescu was a national hero or not”, has, justifiably, provoked outrage among numerous public figures.
For instance, sociologist Gelu Duminică stated: „Supporters of Antonescu are people who have no place in public office. History has already decided, Mr. Simion! So has Romanian law! And so have the 400,000 victims of his extermination policies.”
[7] However, the candidate George Simion’s legionnaire-like tendencies are far too deep-rooted and ingrained for him not to express them — both in words and in actions. Several fully revealing examples follow:
- The „legionnaire-fascist” assault by AUR at the opening of the academic year at SNSPA. On this subject, Austrian historian and professor Oliver Jens Schmitt told Radio Free Europe:
RFE: We are witnessing a new radicalization of AUR’s actions. They came to SNSPA to sabotage the start of the academic year. How should we interpret this action, especially since it was announced the night before on live television by AUR leader George Simion?
O.J. Schmitt: Already in the 1920s, for the Legionnaires, the university was a central stage for their actions. Today, such actions primarily aim to intimidate those who might express dissenting opinions — young intellectuals and professors. By announcing it in advance on television, Simion deliberately fosters a climate of fear while testing how authorities will respond.
- AUR’s blacklist of undesirable media outlets and the incitement of its radicals to „get involved”. This represents a blatant violation of constitutional norms and democratic principles, expressed through toxic, ominous, hate-inciting gestures — to which, unfortunately, the Romanian state institutions have not responded. Notably, AUR President George Simion has never distanced himself from such actions.
- This is not an isolated incident. One may recall the case of journalist Adina Marincea, who was systematically harassed and humiliated for courageously reporting — thoroughly and factually — on Simion & AUR’s connections with neo-fascist groups: „The launch of the Nationalist Bloc took place at an event predominantly organized by far-right ultras groups such as Honor et Patria (founded by George Simion and still connected to AUR, with some HP members now in the party) and Camarazii. The Bloc aims to be a unifying umbrella for various ultranationalist factions.”
- Simion & AUR’s incitement (on December 21, 2021) against the adoption of the COVID certificate, which led to the storming of the Parliament’s courtyard, forced entry into the Senate building, and multiple acts of vandalism.
- Widely known is also the incident of January 14, 2022, when George Simion, accompanied by a group of supporters, initiated an assault on Timișoara City Hall under the pretext of requesting an audience for a local revolutionary. The group forced open doors, entered offices, and invaded institutional corridors, chanting slogans. Health protocols were entirely disregarded. Throughout the incident, xenophobic chants such as „Herr Fritz, don’t forget/Timișoara is not yours!” and offensive ones like „Get out, you filthy mutt!” were shouted.
- In an interview on Radio Free Europe regarding how the AUR party was founded, George-Nicolae Simion stated: „Among all the groups active in 2019, the only ones with whom I found common ground were those organized around the ROST Association, led by my colleague Claudiu Târziu, the other co-president of AUR.” We remind readers that the ROST Association is widely known for its Legionnaire affinities, being „a big fan of the Captain [Codreanu’s nickname] and the boys in brown shirts”, an association in which Corneliu Zelea Codreanu and the Legionary Movement are nostalgically evoked, where their acts of violence are downplayed, or where one finds materials stating (quote): „And we’ve got bullets only for traitors… So how could you not feel a chill — you, the token Jew — when haunted by the specter of reactionary Codreanu?!”
- Public Statement from AUR: «The Alliance for the Union of Romanians warns that, in recent years, there has been a systematic undermining of education in Romania through the elevation of minor topics to the level of school subjects (e.g., sex education, the history of the Holocaust), while reducing the emphasis placed on essential disciplines for the training of future generations: exact sciences, Romanian language and literature, and national history.»
This message is full of latent antisemitic clichés (e.g., the trope of „Jewish subversion of national institutions”) but it is overt when it comes to minimizing and trivializing the Holocaust. The Holocaust (by far the most atrocious and abominable genocide in human history) can be considered a „minor topic” only by antisemites, fascists, Nazis, or Legionnaire sympathizers.
Post Scriptum:
On March 11, 2025 (after we completed the article here) George Simion posted on his official page a material entitled „What am I doing with you?”, which he concludes as follows:
„I have to, from May 19, be your president too. And that’s what worries me. Most of you are my colleagues of generation/ education/aspirations. But I don’t know what I’m going to do with you, you seem bewildered, irrational and totally unwilling to accept that the world is not just how you see it. There are also us, the rest of us, here.
I hope you can help me solve the dilemma:
not What am I doing here?
not Who am I voting for?
But What am I going to do with you? Individually, not in a group.”
We know the answer to what you are going to do with us, Mr. Simion. Professor Corneliu Bjola summed it up best: we are waiting for Potra’s legionaries to knock on our door with blacklists – individually.