Fatal Traditions
Radical Right-Wing Thinking in Romania
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
In the Romanian presidential election in May 2025, right-wing extremist George Simion received almost half of the votes. This is not surprising. For anti-Western, xenophobic, anti-liberal, and authoritarian traits are firmly anchored in Romania’s history and political culture. One peculiarity of Romania is its intertwining of fascist legionarism and national communism. These form the ideological basis of today’s ultra-nationalism, for which Simion stands. Ultra-nationalism does not operate on the fringe, but at the heart of society and is supported by the judiciary, the army, the secret services, and the Academy of Sciences. Parts of the Romanian Orthodox Church fuel anti-Western, anti-liberal ultra-nationalism.
(Osteuropa 6-7/2025, pp. 91–130)