More than 90% of the Hungarians living in Romania voted for Nicușor Dan despite PM Orbán’s endorsement for anti-Hungarian George Simion

More than 90% of Hungarians living in Romania voted for Nicușor Dan, despite Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s endorsement of the anti-Hungarian Romanian presidential candidate, George Simion. Orbán publicly supported Simion nine days before Sunday’s election, causing significant unrest among the Hungarian minority in Romania. Simion began his political career by inciting hostility and leading attacks against the Hungarian military cemetery in Úzvölgye alongside extremist Romanian groups, resulting in its destruction. Over the course of his ten-year political career, he has made numerous anti-Hungarian statements. Experts believe Orbán supported Simion in an attempt to secure his vote in the European Council, but the strategy backfired. Despite this, over 90% of local Hungarians voted for Nicușor Dan.

Orbán endorsed an anti-Hungarian candidate

The Hungarian community in Romania numbers over one million, accounting for 6.6% of the country’s population. In closely contested elections, their votes can be decisive, although that was not the case in last Sunday’s vote. According to Hunor Kelemen, leader of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ), more than 620,000 Hungarians voted for Nicușor Dan, while only a few thousand supported the far-right, anti-Hungarian candidate George Simion.

Orbán made his endorsement during a speech last Friday in Tihany, near Lake Balaton. He quoted Simion, who had said, “Now is the time for a Europe of nations, a Christian Europe, in which we will fight for our right to be European citizens.” Orbán responded, “We fully agree,” adding that Hungarians and Romanians share a historical community of fate and should support each other in defending Christianity and sovereignty.

Simion campaigned with Orbán’s support

Orbán emphasised that Hungary would oppose any form of political isolation or sanctions against Romania or its leadership. His remarks were widely interpreted as a direct endorsement of Simion, a politician well known for his anti-Hungarian rhetoric and anti-minority positions.

• Orbán praises far-right, anti-Hungarian Romanian presidential candidate, drawing criticism from Hungarian minority leader

Simion utilised Orbán’s endorsement in his campaign, distributing leaflets portraying the two as political allies and encouraging Hungarians in Romania to vote for him. RMDSZ leader Hunor Kelemen acknowledged that Orbán’s comments caused concern among the Hungarian minority in Romania, with many expressing disappointment. “That is out of the question; it should not be concealed,” he added.

• Anti-Hungarian presidential candidate Simion was supported by Orbán’s campaign team? – read more HERE

On Saturday, Orbán posted that he had spoken with Kelemen by phone, agreeing that the Hungarian government would not support any presidential candidate other than one representing Transylvanian Hungarians. Experts agree it was a grave misstep to express support for Simion, motivated solely by Orbán’s desire to secure Simion’s vote in the European Council. Members of the Hungarian government even referred to Simion as Romania’s president, justifying their support on the basis of preparing for cooperation with a neighbouring head of state—despite having no credible information to support that outcome.

• After Orbán praises anti-Hungarian Simion, Parliament Speaker Kövér stresses ethnic Hungarians’ interests in Romania

Péter Magyar seizes the moment to strengthen his position in rural Fidesz strongholds

Orbán’s endorsement had further political consequences. Following the Tihany speech, Péter Magyar, leader of Hungary’s strongest opposition party, launched a march from Budapest to Nagyvárad (Oradea) to protest the Prime Minister’s statement. He intends to arrive only after the second round of the presidential election, so as not to influence the result. According to his plan, he will reach Nagyvárad this Saturday.

During his march, Magyar has been visiting even the smallest Hungarian villages—places where no Hungarian politician has appeared in decades. Since Fidesz has traditionally been strong in these areas, which form the backbone of its electoral success, Magyar’s presence could pose a serious threat to their support base. Fidesz has frequently criticised its opponents for being disconnected from rural voters and incapable of representing their interests.

Hunor Kelemen spoke with Orbán yesterday

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met with Hunor Kelemen, leader of RMDSZ, in his office on Monday, according to the communications department of the Prime Minister’s Office.

Orbán stated that the Hungarian government welcomed the unity demonstrated by the Transylvanian Hungarian community in preventing an “anti-Hungarian president” from gaining power in Romania. He added that his government was prepared to cooperate with Nicușor Dan, Romania’s president-elect, and that it would continue to base Hungarian-Romanian relations on RMDSZ’s position.

Kelemen stated in an interview with Öt that his party would be willing to participate in either a grand coalition or a minority government, provided the terms are clear.