It is already known that I like drama. This week we have part of an extremely delicious drama with the second round of the presidential elections in Romania. I think it is one of the rare moments when I follow the news channels and independent media, even though I am not a fan of the TV and politics.
The battle for the Cotroceni seat in 2025 is between George Simion, the representative of the AUR political party, and the independent candidate Nicușor Dan. I admit, I have never been a fan of George Simion. I did not believe his promises of offering houses for €35,000, I could not accept his verbal assault on Mrs. Șoșoacă in Parliament — “I will sexually assault you, you pig” — and I have not forgotten the still-unresolved case of the 17-year-old girl allegedly raped at an AUR camp. So, I think my position is clear. If that bothers anyone… too bad.
I followed, together with the curly-haired boy — who, as always, is far more neutral and impartial than I am — all the debates this week between Nicușor Dan and the empty chair. George Simion only participated in the first and only debate organized by EuroNews. Many drew conclusions from that single interaction; others were swayed by populist speeches or lost in the sea of numbers. Some argued that George Simion simply failed to prepare, perhaps carried away by youthful enthusiasm. In the end, these assumptions hardly matter, because the potential president had made his decision: he had had enough. And it seemed he believed that Romanians — the undecided or those unsure after the first round — had had enough too. Only one candidate responded to questions, some of which were genuinely pertinent.
The drama continues to unfold. Simion’s blunders this week — from his “marketing tactics” and the filming and publication of his meeting with Digi journalists, which was arguably illegal, to his absence before the Romanian public — are starting to show their impact in the latest polls.
Please understand that I am not praising Nicușor Dan. I do not believe that choosing the lesser evil is a solution, especially with Romania teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. Yet, I am realistic and understand that no one can please everyone. So far, Nicușor Dan has attended the debates he committed to, answering clearly, with figures, drawing on his experience leading Bucharest City Hall, and presenting arguments and a concrete plan to address the serious challenges facing Romania. I admit — repeatedly — that he has convinced me.
More recently, George Simion appeared on a French political show, where he audaciously compared France to Iran, questioned the democracy and integrity of the French, and insulted their president, Emmanuel Macron. The journalists were outraged, as were the French public, who expressed their indignation on social media. As Romanians, we were left to reassure them that George Simion did not represent us, and that his views and lack of common sense — only highlighted by his poor, slurred French — are not shared by our people. Like many Romanians, I felt deeply ashamed.
It is Friday and the vote ends only on Sunday. Until then, I am sure there will be more falsehoods to debunk, jibes to endure, and dramas to witness. Our duty — all of us — remains to go to the polls. We are responsible for casting our vote rationally, as democracy demands, which I sincerely hope we can preserve. In the meantime, let’s continue to watch the drama on TV, let’s be amazed, laugh, cry… and finally, vote for Nicușor Dan!
-AE
