The Romanian village of Poeni features a couple of stores, a kebab stand, and several stray dogs.
It also has a considerable number of residents who favored a far-right candidate for president.
Poeni, situated just over an hour’s journey from the capital, is not unique in this sentiment.
Last November, Calin Georgescu – an admirer of Vladimir Putin and critic of Nato – ascended from the extremist periphery to secure 23% of the vote in the first round of Romania’s presidential election.
In Poeni, his performance was even stronger, reaching 24%.
Subsequently, the constitutional court controversially invalidated the entire election, citing intelligence suggesting Russia had amplified Georgescu’s online campaign.
In Poeni, a young voter dismissed these claims as “lies,” expressing anger at the annulled vote. “They should have allowed him to participate to observe the outcome,” argued Maria.
A fresh election is scheduled for May, but Georgescu has been prohibited from running.
In Bucharest, protestors took to the streets, denouncing the judges for undermining democracy. A small group briefly clashed with law enforcement, who deployed tear gas.
Now, nationalist politician George Simion has entered the race and is demonstrating robust polling figures.
Many Romanians harbor concerns that their nation’s fundamental European principles and international alliances remain at risk.
“We are engaged in an ideological conflict. Our choices are limited,” is how one democracy advocate described the atmosphere. “The struggle is now.”
“They Tricked Us. They Promised Us More”
In Poeni village, discussions revolve less around values and Russian interference and more around personal finances – or the lack thereof.
Adjacent to the main road, where traffic oscillates between heavy lorries and horse-drawn carts, men purchase grilled kebabs, and pensioners converse on worn benches.
A public telephone booth is misshapen, its sign precariously hanging, likely in that state for years.
Incomes here are low, prices are increasing, and living is challenging, mirroring conditions in much of Romania.
“I want Georgescu to rectify everything. They deceived us. They promised higher pensions,” a middle-aged woman stated quietly initially, before growing more assertive. “The others have done nothing for us here!”
In the village shop, Ionela expresses similar disillusionment.
“Young individuals complete their education here and cannot find employment, leading them to seek opportunities abroad. This is not acceptable. We require jobs for our young people here,” she lamented from behind the counter.
Millions of Romanians are employed in other EU countries, sending remittances to their families. In Poeni, the impact is evident in numerous unfinished new houses.
Ionela’s entire family voted for Georgescu. She recalls his promise to reduce taxes, but appears unaware of his far-right ideology.
Georgescu, who has praised extremist figures from Romania’s past, is currently under investigation for alleged connections to a group exhibiting “fascist, racist or xenophobic characteristics.”
Upon emerging from questioning, the politician was filmed performing a fascist-style salute.
Other residents of Poeni were aware of this and familiar with the dubious individuals associated with Georgescu.
Upon hearing his name, one elderly woman seized her crutch, brandishing it like a weapon and declaring him dangerous.
Another individual mentioned public suspicion regarding someone who rapidly rose to prominence from obscurity and his emphasis on sovereignty over economic pragmatism.
“He claims we do not require European financial assistance. Then how will we survive? Let’s be realistic: Europe sustains us!” she asserted.
“Flimsy Suspicions”
Romania’s election has become a subject of discussion extending beyond Poeni and even Bucharest.
When US Vice President JD Vance provoked controversy in Europe with a speech in Munich, asserting that the EU’s primary threat originated internally rather than from Russia, he referenced Romania multiple times.
He stated that the nation’s election was annulled based on “flimsy suspicions” due to “immense pressure” from the EU. Subsequently, Elon Musk criticized the court’s action on X as “crazy.”
Moscow would likely view this favorably.
Russia’s foreign intelligence service publicly concurred with the US, asserting that the “liberal mainstream” in Europe was suppressing dissent.
This perspective emanates from an autocratic regime.
“This is the new reality. It’s Maga ideology. They are seeking allies, and their allies are far-right parties across Europe,” is how journalist Ion Ionita interprets the US-Russia alignment.
In his view, invalidating the presidential elections was not only constitutional but justified.
“We are experiencing a hybrid war; democracy is under duress,” he contended, emphasizing the genuine threat.
However, Romania, bordering Ukraine and hosting a significant Nato base, now faces US antagonism as well.
“This represents a dramatic shift. America is our ally, the foremost one, and the most crucial security guarantor for Romania,” Ion Ionita emphasized. “We require this partnership to deepen and strengthen.”
“People are concerned.”
Battle for Romania’s Identity
For Florin Buhuceanu, the conflict transcends mere politics – it’s personal.
His Bucharest apartment, a modernist treasure, serves as a miniature museum “dedicated to gay history.”
One wall displays a large 1930s photograph of three arrested gay men. In the next room, a wooden cabinet, once exhibiting Romanian fascist-era items in an antique shop, now contains images of gay icons.
Romania only decriminalized homosexuality in 2001.
“No state museum would accept such donations,” Florin explained, so he and his partner showcase the exhibits at home for invited guests.
A prominent LGBT rights advocate, he has received numerous threats amidst this intense election period, prompting security services to advise caution.
Even with Georgescu’s rapid disappearance, the atmosphere remains volatile.
George Simion, now a leading candidate, has been under investigation after advocating for election officials to be “skinned alive” for preventing Georgescu’s participation.
He portrays his nationalist AUR party as a “patriotic party of conservative essence” grounded in “Faith, Nation, Family, and Freedom.”
LGBT rights organization Mozaiq has reported a surge in anti-Semitic, racist, and homophobic rhetoric recently. They alerted police to social media messages inciting attacks on their office.
Florin Buhuceanu fears his nation is regressing to the past.
“Prior to 2001, we were effectively suffocated. Now, we are hearing the same rhetoric repeatedly,” he stated.
Worse still, the US, Russia, and the Romanian far-right now find common ground.
“It’s evident that our rights are precarious, and global alignments are shifting, necessitating our continued struggle,” the activist warned. “This is not solely for our community; it’s for the very essence of Romanian democracy.”