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The Ultimate Dark Horse: How a Little-Known Far-Right Figure Won the First Round of Romania’s Presidential Election

First, it felt like a strange dream. As a political enthusiast who is always up-to-date on the latest news, I could never have imagined the situation in which I wake up in my home and have no idea who the man who has just won the election is. Since 6.30 am, 25 November 2024, I have already known that feeling. Romania, the EU’s sixth most populous member state, has recently made waves in the European press. Amid a “super-election” year, with elections for the European Parliament, local councils, parliament, and the presidency all taking place in 2024, far-right and dark-horse candidate Călin Georgescu won the first round of Romania’s presidential election with 23 percent of the vote.

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Libertarianism Must End Its Affair With Populism

Flirting with populism has sadly become a trend in libertarian circles. As the 2024 US presidential election was reaching its climax, an avalanche of podcasters and media personalities who previously claimed adherence to libertarianism endorsed Trump. The most famous among them may be comedian Dave Smith, who used to call Trump a war criminal deserving of a lifetime in prison. 

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US Elections: Wake-Up Call for Political Strategy

The 2024 US elections have exposed enduring weaknesses and critical oversights in the approaches taken by the left worldwide, traditional media, and political strategists. In an era where populism continues to rise, trust in institutions declines, and social media shapes public discourse, the election results underscore the urgent need for strategic recalibration. Not for democrats, but for the American democracy.

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The Election of the Year

This week, I had the opportunity to get a closer look at the excitement surrounding the American presidential election. As much as possible, I have been following events from this side of the Atlantic from a respectful distance. So far, I’ve mostly considered the prospects for cooperation with potential winners from the EU’s perspective, especially regarding the candidates’ stances on the war in Ukraine and any anticipated changes in their positions.

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Moldovan Referendum: Not Great, Not Terrible?

The first time I went to Moldova it was by accident. Spending my summer vacation with some friends in Romania, we planned to visit the Eastern part of the country – Moldavia. While English, and my native Hungarian, make a clear distinction between Moldova and Moldavia, the Romanian language does not. Both are Moldova – the region, and the country, too. That’s how I ended up in Moldova instead of Moldavia after a two-hour-long wait at the Sculeni border crossing, the main entry point to the Republic of Moldova from Romania.

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The Role of Cities and Regions in the EU

Yesterday, the European Parliament discussed the role of cities and regions and the potential for regional development within the EU. The debate attracted relatively little interest, as many representatives were either absent or not engaged in the topic. Yet, this was one of the most critical discussions to shape the next cycle fundamentally. Primarily, Spanish representatives were active, focusing on three main elements.

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Expats During Municipal Elections

Living as an expat in Brussels is one of the most exciting ways to experience life. Part of this excitement comes from the fact that 35% of Brussels’ population, roughly 400,000 people, are not Belgian citizens. Of these, 220,000 are considered expats—highly qualified, well-paid individuals working for international organizations. In this highly livable city, characterized by vast green spaces and a vibrant cultural scene, around 180 nationalities speaking over 100 languages mix.

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Missed Opportunity

The much-anticipated debate in the European Parliament took place yesterday. It offered an opportunity for everyone to voice their own narrative, to offer ideas, a vision, and perhaps a solution for Europe. Unfortunately, no one took this opportunity. 

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We Need More Than Solidarity Now!

The European Parliament held its plenary session in Strasbourg this week. The main item on the agenda was an assessment of the Hungarian presidency’s achievements so far and a presentation of the remaining tasks and challenges facing the EU, which Mr Viktor Orbán PM, as head of the presiding member state, wanted to present.

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