Alliance for the Union of Romanians

The Alliance for the Union of Romanians was formally established on 19 September 2019.{{Cite web |date=19 September 2021 |title=Alianța pentru Unirea Românilor – denumirea prescurtată AUR |url=https://tribunalulbucuresti.ro/images/documente/Partide/poz-203-martie-2021.pdf |publisher=Bucharest Court |language=ro |access-date=17 April 2021 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417140002/https://tribunalulbucuresti.ro/images/documente/Partide/poz-203-martie-2021.pdf |url-status=dead }} Later, during the Great Union Day of Romania on 1 December 2019, its leader, George Simion, said the party's aims were to participate in the 2020 Romanian local and legislative elections of the country.{{Cite news |last=Scutaru |first=Cristina |date=1 December 2019 |title=George Simion a lansat Alianța pentru Unirea Românilor. Este AUR |language=ro |work=DCNews |url=https://www.dcnews.ro/george-simion-a-lansat-alianta-pentru-unirea-romanilor-aur-pentru-romani_714717.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202064959/https://www.dcnews.ro/george-simion-a-lansat-alianta-pentru-unirea-romanilor-aur-pentru-romani_714717.html |archive-date=2 December 2019}} Simion had up to this point been a campaigner for the unification of Romania and the Republic of Moldova. Claudiu Târziu, who was co-president of the party along Simion until 27 March 2022,{{Cite news |last1=Oprea |first1=Adriana |last2=Neag |first2=Mirela |last3=Otopeanu |first3=Cristian |date=27 March 2022 |title=George Simion, ales cu majoritate de voturi noul președinte al partidului AUR |language=ro |work=Libertatea (Pančevo) |url=https://www.libertatea.ro/stiri/george-simion-noul-presedinte-aur-congres-27-martie-2022-4053995}} was a member of Coalition for the Family which unsuccessfully campaigned to ban gay marriage through constitutional change in a 2018 referendum.{{Cite web |last=Rosca |first=Matei |date=8 December 2020 |title=Romanian president sends general into uphill battle |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/romania-election-results-boost-president-klaus-iohannis-but-path-to-reforms-is-fraught/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208193235/https://www.politico.eu/article/romania-election-results-boost-president-klaus-iohannis-but-path-to-reforms-is-fraught/ |archive-date=2020-12-08 |access-date=9 December 2020 |website=Politico}}{{Cite web |last=McGrath |first=Stephen |date=8 December 2020 |title=How a far-right party came from nowhere to shock in Romania's election |url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/12/08/how-a-far-right-party-came-from-nowhere-to-stun-romania-in-sunday-s-election |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208180035/https://www.euronews.com/2020/12/08/how-a-far-right-party-came-from-nowhere-to-stun-romania-in-sunday-s-election |archive-date=2020-12-08 |access-date=2020-12-09 |website=Euronews}}

On 26 June 2020, AUR condemned the disinterest of the Romanian authorities regarding the minority rights of the Romanians in Serbia and Ukraine and declared that it would fully support them once it entered the Romanian Parliament.{{Cite news |last=Modiga |first=Iulia |date=26 June 2020 |title=AUR cere statului român să ofere finanțare corespunzătoare comunităților istorice românești din jurul granițelor și Balcani |language=ro |work=InfoPrut |url=https://infoprut.ro/64191-aur-cere-statului-roman-sa-ofere-finantare-corespunzatoare-comunitatilor-istorice-romanesti-din-jurul-granitelor-si-balcani.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028121557/https://infoprut.ro/64191-aur-cere-statului-roman-sa-ofere-finantare-corespunzatoare-comunitatilor-istorice-romanesti-din-jurul-granitelor-si-balcani.html |archive-date=28 October 2020}} Two days later, AUR also condemned the 80th anniversary of the annexation of Bessarabia, Northern Bukovina, and the Hertsa region by the Soviet Union, declaring that "it is our obligation to regain our state".{{Cite news |last=Marchitan |first=Ana |date=28 June 2020 |title=Îndemnul AUR la 80 de ani de la răpirea Basarabiei, Bucovinei de Nord și a Ținutului Herța: "Este datoria noastră să ne recuperăm statul" |language=ro |work=InfoPrut |url=https://infoprut.ro/64237-indemnul-aur-la-80-de-ani-de-la-rapirea-basarabiei-bucovinei-de-nord-si-a-tinutului-herta-este-datoria-noastra-sa-ne-recuperam-statul.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728084932/https://infoprut.ro/64237-indemnul-aur-la-80-de-ani-de-la-rapirea-basarabiei-bucovinei-de-nord-si-a-tinutului-herta-este-datoria-noastra-sa-ne-recuperam-statul.html |archive-date=28 July 2020}} By July 2020, AUR counted 22 branches in Europe and North America for the Romanian diaspora.{{Cite news |date=11 July 2020 |title=Diaspora, mesaj către București: Lășați-ne să călătorim liber! |language=ro |work=RomaniaTV.Net |url=https://www.romaniatv.net/diaspora-mesaj-catre-bucuresti-lasati-ne-sa-calatorim-liber_529413.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728083425/https://www.romaniatv.net/diaspora-mesaj-catre-bucuresti-lasati-ne-sa-calatorim-liber_529413.html |archive-date=28 July 2020}} The first of these was established in Wolverhampton, in the United Kingdom.{{Cite news |last=Crangasu |first=Elena |date=20 December 2019 |title=Primul partid din România care propune încheierea unui contract între candidat și alegător |language=ro |work=Mediafax |location=Bucharest |url=https://www.mediafax.ro/politic/primul-partid-din-romania-care-propune-incheierea-unui-contract-intre-candidat-si-alegator-18674579 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220183244/https://www.mediafax.ro/politic/primul-partid-din-romania-care-propune-incheierea-unui-contract-intre-candidat-si-alegator-18674579 |archive-date=20 December 2019}} AUR was the only party in Romania that expressed support for Donald Trump in the 2020 United States presidential election.{{Cite news |date=12 June 2020 |title=AUR obține peste 8%. George Simion: Nu vom face alianțe. Claudiu Târziu: Suntem apărătorii Bisericii |language=ro |work=Radio Europa Liberă România |url=https://romania.europalibera.org/a/draft-aur/30986837.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208085340/https://romania.europalibera.org/a/draft-aur/30986837.html |archive-date=8 December 2020}}

During the 2020 Romanian local elections, AUR won the mayoralty in three towns: Amara, Pufești, and Valea Lungă.{{Cite news |date=29 September 2020 |title=Surpriză alegeri locale: AUR a câștigat 3 primării și 100 de consilieri locali |language=ro |work=60m.RO |url=https://60m.ro/surpriza-alegeri-locale-aur-a-castigat-3-primarii-si-100-de-consilieri-locali/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119111449/https://60m.ro/surpriza-alegeri-locale-aur-a-castigat-3-primarii-si-100-de-consilieri-locali/ |archive-date=19 January 2021}}

In the 2020 Romanian legislative election, AUR obtained a high percentage of the votes, being called as the "surprise" of Romania. The results also increased the popularity of the party on the Internet.{{Cite news |last=Fati |first=Sabina |date=7 December 2020 |title=AUR-ul antioccidental și cine e cel mai mare perdant al alegerilor |language=ro |work=Deutsche Welle Romania |url=https://www.dw.com/ro/aur-ul-antioccidental-și-cine-e-cel-mai-mare-perdant-al-alegerilor/a-55843463 |url-status=live |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208092744/https://www.dw.com/ro/aur-ul-antioccidental-%C8%99i-cine-e-cel-mai-mare-perdant-al-alegerilor/a-55843463 |archive-date=8 December 2020}}{{Cite news |last=Stanca |first=Andrei |date=6 December 2020 |title=Cine este Alianța AUR, partidul-surpriză de la exit-poll |language=ro |publisher=Pro TV |url=https://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/alegeri-parlamentare-2020/cine-este-alianta-aur-partidul-surpriza-de-la-exit-poll.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208031645/https://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/alegeri-parlamentare-2020/cine-este-alianta-aur-partidul-surpriza-de-la-exit-poll.html |archive-date=8 December 2020}} The party came first among Romanians in Italy, the largest group of the Romanian diaspora, and ran a close second among Romanians in France and Romanians in Spain. It also scored first in Cyprus.{{Cite web |editor-last=Marina |editor-first=Georgiana |title=Rezultate parțiale alegeri parlamentare 2020. AUR, surpriza din Diaspora: pe locul 1 în Italia, pe 2 în Spania |url=https://www.digi24.ro/alegeri-parlamentare-2020/rezultate-partiale-alegeri-parlamentare-2020-aur-surpriza-din-diaspora-pe-locul-1-in-italia-pe-2-in-spania-1413674 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201209114351/https://www.digi24.ro/alegeri-parlamentare-2020/rezultate-partiale-alegeri-parlamentare-2020-aur-surpriza-din-diaspora-pe-locul-1-in-italia-pe-2-in-spania-1413674 |archive-date=2020-12-09 |access-date=2020-12-09 |website=Digi24 |date=7 December 2020 |language=ro}} AUR's candidate for prime minister was Călin Georgescu, who worked for the United Nations for 17 years.{{Cite news |last=Cristescu |first=George-Andrei |date=7 December 2020 |title=Cine este Călin Georgescu, propunerea AUR pentru postul de premier al României |language=ro |work=Adevărul |url=https://adevarul.ro/news/politica/cine-calin-georgescu-propunerea-aur-postul-premier-romaniei-1_5fce6e495163ec4271a64a08/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208093415/https://adevarul.ro/news/politica/cine-calin-georgescu-propunerea-aur-postul-premier-romaniei-1_5fce6e495163ec4271a64a08/index.html |archive-date=8 December 2020}} According to a statement released by AUR, between 7 and 8 December 2020, 15,000 Romanians joined the party in just 24 hours. The party is supposedly to have 46 members of parliament in the 2020–2024 Romanian legislature, according to the same statement.{{Cite web |last=Buciu |first=Laura |date=8 December 2020 |title=15.000 de români s-au înscris în AUR în ultimele 24 de ore |url=https://www.mediafax.ro/alegeri-parlamentare-2020/15-000-de-romani-s-au-inscris-in-aur-in-ultimele-24-de-ore-19773250 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208094528/https://www.mediafax.ro/alegeri-parlamentare-2020/15-000-de-romani-s-au-inscris-in-aur-in-ultimele-24-de-ore-19773250 |archive-date=8 December 2020 |access-date=9 December 2020 |website=Mediafax |language=ro}}

The party achieved good results in rural areas of Moldavia and Dobruja, areas traditionally dominated by the other big parties. Its most significant percentages were in the counties where the Romanian Orthodox Church has a strong influence and a large number of practicing believers. These are Suceava (14.72%), Botoșani (14.62%), Neamț (14.4%), Constanța (14.2%), and Vrancea (13.43%).{{Cite news |date=10 December 2020 |title=Cum a ajuns AUR a patra forță politică din România |work=Recorder |url=https://recorder.ro/cum-a-ajuns-aur-a-patra-forta-politica-din-romania/ |access-date=19 December 2020}} The party speculated the new communication channels (social networks) in a similar way to the Greater Romania Party (PRM) of the late 1990s - early 2000s, which used the newspaper "România Mare" (Greater Romania) as a communication channel, reaching high electoral scores. Another example is the People's Party – Dan Diaconescu (PP-DD), which was propelled with the help of the OTV television channel.

Recorder, a Romanian online publisher, argues that the election campaign of AUR has adapted to the rural environment, which lacks modern technology, relying more on messages desired by the masses than on a coherent ideology. In this way, they argue, in addition to a core of supporters who voted for radical messages, there is also the wider category of electorate strictly attracted by populist messages.

On 22 January 2021, Simion announced that the party would officially adhere at European level to the "European Conservatives and Reformists Party" after going on visits in Poland and Brussels, Belgium.{{Cite web |last=Peneș |first=Sorinel |date=22 January 2021 |editor-last=Stănescu |editor-first=Claudia |editor2-last=Badea |editor2-first=Anca |title=AUR anunță afilierea la familia politică europeană a conservatorilor și reformiștilor |trans-title=AUR announces the affiliation to the European political family of conservatives and reformists |url=https://www.agerpres.ro/politica/2021/01/22/aur-anunta-afilierea-la-familia-politica-europeana-a-conservatorilor-si-reformistilor--647724 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123084444/https://www.agerpres.ro/politica/2021/01/22/aur-anunta-afilierea-la-familia-politica-europeana-a-conservatorilor-si-reformistilor--647724 |archive-date=23 January 2021 |access-date=23 January 2021 |website=AGERPRES |language=ro}} Simion announced on 15 March 2021 that the AUR had intentions to start operating in the Republic of Moldova on the occasion of the Day of the Union of Bessarabia with Romania celebrated every 27 March.{{Cite news |last=Necșuțu |first=Mădălin |date=16 March 2021 |title=Romanian nationalist party to start operating in Moldova |publisher=Balkan Insight |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2021/03/16/romanian-nationalist-party-to-start-operating-in-moldova/ |access-date=20 September 2021}} The party was officially launched, as previously stated, on 27 March 2021, and the elected president of the party was Vlad Bilețchi, a renowned Moldovan unionist.{{Cite news |date=27 March 2021 |title=Un partid parlamentar din România s-a lansat și în R. Moldova. Președinte a fost ales liderul unei asociații unioniste, iar prim-vicepreședinți, un actual și un fost deputat în Parlamentul României |work=Ziarul de Gardă |url=https://www.zdg.md/importante/partidul-aur-din-romania-s-a-lansat-si-in-r-moldova/}} This new section of the AUR in Moldova later participated in the Moldovan snap parliamentary elections of 11 July 2021.{{Cite news |date=5 May 2021 |title=Partidul românesc unionist AUR participă la alegerile anticipate din R. Moldova |language=ro |work=Radio Europa Liberă Moldova |url=https://moldova.europalibera.org/a/partidul-rom%C3%A2nesc-unionist-aur-particip%C4%83-la-alegerile-anticipate-din-r-moldova/31239297.html}}

On 2 October 2021, AUR organised a 15,000–20,000 people-strong protest against COVID-19 restrictions at the Victory Square in Bucharest, drawing both national and international attention and being the most attended protest in Romania since the start of the pandemic.{{Cite news |title=VIDEO Cel mai mare protest anti-restricții de la începutul pandemiei de coronavirus: 15.000 de persoane s-au strâns sâmbătă în Piața Victoriei/ Șoșoacă și Simion au mobilizat masiv oamenii prin live-uri pe Facebook cu aproape 100.000 de distribuiri |work=G4 Media |url=https://www.g4media.ro/video-cel-mai-mare-protest-anti-restrictii-de-la-inceputul-pandemiei-de-coronavirus-15-000-de-persoane-s-au-strans-sambata-in-piata-victoriei-sosoaca-si-simion-au-mobilizat-masiv-oamenii-prin-live-u.html}}{{Cite news |date=2 October 2021 |title=VIDEO FOTO Protest mare în București: Circa 10.000 de persoane au manifestat împotriva măsurilor antiCOVID, certificatului verde, guvernului Cîțu și președintelui Iohannis / O parte din protestatarii AUR care au ajuns la Cotroceni au strigat "Ieși afară, Javră ordinară!" |language=ro |work=HotNews |url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-esential-25076738-proteste-capitala-piata-universitatii-piata-victoriei-impotriva-guvernului-certificatului-verde.htm}} On 5 October 2021, a motion of no confidence initiated by AUR, but legally proposed by PSD, was passed with 281 votes, thus dismissing the Cîțu Cabinet.{{Cite news |date=5 October 2021 |title=GUVERNUL CÎȚU a căzut. Moțiunea a trecut cu un număr istoric de voturi. Hunor, Cioloș, Barna, Orban, Turcan, primele reacții - OFICIAL |language=ro |work=DCNews |url=https://www.dcnews.ro/rezultat-motiune-de-cenzura-guvern-citu-numar-voturi-scenarii-si-calcule-in-ziua-decisiva-live-text-video_840278.html}}

On 27 March 2022, AUR held its first party congress at the Palace of the Parliament. On it, it was intended to elect the party's president. There were two candidates, Simion and Dănuț Aelenei, AUR deputy in the Constanța County. Aelenei claimed to have nominated himself with the simple intention of showing that AUR was a democratic party and that he did not intend to "expel" Simion from the party, admitting that he was less well-known compared to him. 784 voted for Simion and 38 for Aelenei, making Simion the party's sole president after having previously shared leadership with Târziu, who became president of the party's CNC. In November 2022, Simion met with Israel's ambassador to Romania, Reuven Azar. The encounter drew outrage from some Israelis and diaspora Jews, as AUR is officially boycotted by Israel due to its history of antisemitism.{{cite news |last=Melman |first=Yossi |date=22 November 2022 |title=Likud Officials Met Representatives of Far-right, Antisemitic Romanian Party Officially Boycotted by Israel |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2022-11-22/ty-article/.premium/likud-officials-met-representatives-of-antisemitic-romanian-party-boycotted-by-israel/00000184-9f7c-d40d-a9ce-bf7ff3610000 |access-date=13 September 2023 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |last=Roth-Rowland |first=Natasha |date=4 September 2023 |title=It's not just Europe's far right enabling Israeli apartheid |url=https://www.972mag.com/europe-far-right-israel-apartheid/ |access-date=13 September 2023 |website=+972 Magazine |language=en-US}}

File:George Simion președinte AUR (4) (54366839749).jpg

On 14 November 2023, at an AUR press conference, Lidia Vadim Tudor (the daughter of the late Corneliu Vadim Tudor), former Minister for Business Environment Ilan Laufer (who is also the president of the National Identity Force), businessman Muhammad Murad, entrepreneur Sorin Constantinescu and Sorin Ilieșiu, as well as deputies Florică Calotă (who was elected on PNL list), Daniel Forea (elected on PSD list), Dumitru Viorel Focșa (elected on AUR, but later left) and senators Ovidiu Iosif Florean (elected on PNL list), Călin Gheorghe Matieș (elected on PSD list) and Vasilică Potecă (elected on PNL list) announced that they are joining AUR for the next election.{{cite web | url=https://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/politic/aur-a-prezentat-asa-numitul-pol-suveranist-pentru-alegerile-din-2024-printre-ei-lidia-vadim-tudor-fiica-lui-vadim-tudor.html | title=Cine s-a înscris în "polul suveranist" AUR, pentru alegerile din 2024. Printre ei, Lidia Vadim Tudor, fiica lui Vadim Tudor }} Later, on 21 November, AUR announced, together with the Romanian Village Party, National Rebirth Alliance, Romanian Republican Party and National Peasants' Alliance the creation of a Sovereigntist Alliance to contest the 2024 Romanian parliamentary election.{{cite web | url=https://ecopolitic.ro/video-liderul-aur-george-simion-anunta-ca-inca-doua-partide-se-alatura-polului-suveranist-partidul-satul-romanesc-si-alianta-pentru-renastere-nationala/ | title=VIDEO Liderul AUR, George Simion, anunță că încă două partide se alătură polului suveranist: Partidul Satul Românesc și Alianta pentru Renaștere Națională | date=21 November 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://cronicaromana.net/2023/11/22/george-simion-si-aur-expansiune-la-nivel-national-partidul-satul-romanesc-si-alianta-renasterea-nationala-se-alatura-aur/ | title=George Simion și AUR, expansiune la nivel național. Partidul Satul Românesc şi Alianţa Renaşterea Naţională se alătură AUR! | date=22 November 2023 }}

In the 2024 European Parliament Election, AUR gained 5 seats in the EU Parliament, with a total of 6 seats, receiving 14.9% of the total votes, ranking 2nd behind the CNR.{{Cite web |title=Home {{!}} 2024 European election results {{!}} Romania {{!}} European Parliament |url=https://results.elections.europa.eu/en/romania/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=results-elections.secvoting.com/ |language=en}} AUR previously held only 1 seat in the European Parliament.{{Cite web |title=National results Romania {{!}} 2019 Outgoing Parliament {{!}} 2024 European election results {{!}} European Parliament |url=https://results.elections.europa.eu/en/national-results/romania/2019-2024/outgoing-parliament/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=testeuparv1.secvoting.com/ |language=en}} In the party's first local elections on 9 June 2024, AUR gained 10.7% for county councils and 9.5% for local councils.

The party claims it is a centre-right,{{Cite web |last=Bădilă |first=de Leonard |title=AUR se afiliază la familia politică europeană de centru-dreapta. Copreședintele a confirmat |url=https://www.capital.ro/aur-se-afiliaza-la-familia-politica-europeana-de-centru-dreapta-copresedintele-a-confirmat.html |website=capital.ro|date=22 January 2021 }} patriotic,{{cite web | url=https://newsbucuresti.ro/video-a-fost-lansata-campania-patriot-in-bucuresti-george-simion-suntem-o-forta-nationala-forta-care-poate-rasturna-sistemul/ | title=VIDEO/ A fost lansată campania "Patriot în București". George Simion: "Suntem o forță națională, forța care poate răsturna sistemul" | date=5 July 2023 }} and Christian democratic party.{{Cite web |title=Partidul AUR se vrea crestin democrat |url=https://www.ziarelive.ro/stiri/partidul-aur-se-vrea-crestin-democrat.html |website=ZiareLive.ro|date=29 March 2022 }}

{{Rquote|right|AUR is young as a party, but it didn't come out of nowhere. It brings together some people whose history is linked to the late period of communism. Its candidates are experts in propaganda, intellectuals with more or less open sympathy for legionnaires and legionary or pro-legionary intellectuals, businessmen and itinerant politicians who wander from one radical party to another.|Oliver Jens Schmitt{{Cite web |last=Grădinaru |first=Magda |date=2020-12-11 |title=Cum a crescut AUR în Frății ortodoxe tolerate de Biserică, așa cum BOR l-a tolerat și pe Zelea Codreanu. Manipulările via Sputnik și pericolul real - Interviu |url=https://spotmedia.ro/stiri/politica/de-citit-cum-a-crescut-aur-in-fratii-ortodoxe-tolerate-de-biserica-asa-cum-bor-l-a-tolerat-si-pe-zelea-codreanu-manipularile-via-sputnik-si-pericolul-real |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=spotmedia.ro |language=ro-RO}}}}

According to the party's website, AUR's ultimate goal is to achieve the unification of all Romanians "wherever they are located, in Bucharest, Iași, Timișoara, Cernăuți, Timoc, Voivodina, Italy, or Spain", while wanting to unite Romania and Moldova together, as well as land with Romanian speakers in neighboring countries.{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/31af3e55-97f7-4bc2-a4e6-89ed2c0c461e|title=Anti-Ukraine party gathers strength in Romania|first=Marton|last=Dunai|newspaper=Financial Times|date=7 November 2023|quote=Simion, said Târziu, was persona non grata in Chisinau and Kyiv because of his irredentism on uniting all Romanian speakers into a “Greater Romania”.}} The party has been called irredentist. The website names four pillars for the party: family, nation, Christian faith, and liberty. The party characterises its members as "the defenders of the Church". It is opposed to "gender ideology" and believes that a nation has no chance of surviving "unless it cultivates the original pattern of the classic family".

The party's representatives became popular on social media as a result of their positioning against measures taken by the government during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leading members, such as Șoșoacă (later expelled), gained thousands of followers. AUR has been described as supporting "anti-medicine, anti-vaccination" rhetoric. This accusation was rejected by George Simion, president of AUR, claiming that the party supports the "freedom of choice".{{Cite web |date=26 January 2021 |title=George Simion și-a anunțat noii parteneri europeni că "AUR va exista politic și în Republica Moldova" |url=https://www.libertatea.ro/stiri/george-simion-si-a-anuntat-noii-parteneri-europeni-ca-aur-va-exista-politic-si-in-republica-moldova-3391100}} The party's manifesto opposes secularism and condemns atheism, and claims that Christians are persecuted in Romania. The party has been critical of the impact of the local autonomy of Hungarians in Romania on the rights of ethnic Romanians in the centre of the country (where the Hungarians are the majority), leading to accusations of being Magyarophobic. The latter accusation was rejected by the president of AUR,{{Cite news |last=Sandu |first=Geanina |date=11 December 2020 |title=Claudiu Târziu, copreședintele AUR, la Marius Tucă Show: "Lavric nu e un misogin. Lavric iubește femeile. Lui Lavric ți-e și rușine să-i treci prin față" |language=ro |work=Mediafax |url=https://www.mediafax.ro/marius-tuca-show/claudiu-tarziu-co-fondator-aur-la-marius-tuca-show-lavric-nu-e-un-misogin-lavric-iubeste-femeile-lavric-ti-e-si-rusine-sa-i-treci-prin-fata-19778385}} and the party denounced the media, accusing media outlets of spreading false information about its campaign.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}} Simion has cited Law and Justice and Fidesz, the ruling parties in Poland and Hungary respectively, as some of his models.{{Cite web |last=Barberá |first=Marcel Gascón |date=7 December 2020 |title=Rookie Nationalist Party Makes Shock Entry into Romania's Parliament |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2020/12/07/rookie-nationalist-party-makes-shock-entry-into-romanias-parliament/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208083151/https://balkaninsight.com/2020/12/07/rookie-nationalist-party-makes-shock-entry-into-romanias-parliament/ |archive-date=8 December 2020 |access-date=8 December 2020 |publisher=Balkan Insight}}{{cite news|date=14 July 2021|title=George Simion se compară cu liderul autocrat al Ungariei: Sunt Viktor Orban al României/ Fidesz este un model pentru noi|url=https://www.g4media.ro/george-simion-se-compara-cu-liderul-autocrat-al-ungariei-sunt-viktor-orban-al-romaniei-fidesz-este-un-model-pentru-noi.html|work=G4 Media|language=ro}} Despite this, AUR has also expressed deep criticism of Fidesz, stating that it would not join the same group in the European Parliament as Fidesz, due to its claims on Romanian territory.{{cite news|work=Euractiv|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/romanias-far-right-threatens-to-pull-out-of-ecr-group-in-new-blow-to-orban/|title=Romania's far-right threatens to pull out of ECR group in new blow to Orbán|date=12 February 2024}} However, AUR later reversed its stance, expressing openness to Fidesz joining the European Conservatives and Reformists.{{cite news|title=Hungary's MEGA presidency — or just meh?|quote=But according to a top new MEP in AUR, which now has six seats in the European Parliament and joined the ECR last week, Orbán is still welcome in the group. “We’ve always advocated for a big group,” Claudiu Târziu told Playbook’s Nick Vinocur, adding that the problem was a lack of communication with Fidesz.|date=25 June 2024|url=https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/brussels-playbook/hungarys-mega-presidency-or-just-meh/|work=Politico}}

File:Simion_&_Meloni_(1).jpg, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala at an ECR meeting in Brussels on 20 March 2025]]

AUR wishes to position Romania as a leader in central and eastern Europe within the European Union and to integrate the Republic of Moldova into Romania,{{Cite web |last=Pirvu |first=Luminita |date=7 December 2020 |title=VIDEO Cum arată programul AUR, surpriza alegerilor parlamentare 2020, și cine sunt candidații partidului care intră în Parlament |url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-24465979-video-cum-arata-programul-politic-aur-cine-sunt-candidatii-aur-care-intra-parlament.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209082810/https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-24465979-video-cum-arata-programul-politic-aur-cine-sunt-candidatii-aur-care-intra-parlament.htm |archive-date=9 December 2020 |access-date=9 December 2020 |website=HotNews.ro |language=ro}} whilst also being Eurosceptic.{{cite web |date=10 December 2020 |title=Elections 2020: A small victory for the right, but Romania won't deviate from its Western path |url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/elections-2020-small-victory-right-romania-wont-deviate-its-western-path |access-date=20 September 2021 |publisher=Middle East Institute}}{{cite news |title=AUR vrea "cultură și tradiții românești" în programa școlară. Profesor: "o bazaconie" |url=https://romania.europalibera.org/a/aur-vrea-o-nouă-materie/32095782.html |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=Europa Liberă România |date=23 October 2022 |language=ro |last1=Despa |first1=Oana }} The party is pro-NATO and views the integration of Moldova into Romania as strengthening NATO's eastern flank. The party also takes a strongly pro-Israel stance, supporting Israeli settlements in the West Bank.{{cite news|work=Israel National News|url=https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/376205|title=Romanian presidential candidate pledges to recognize Israel's right to Judea and Samaria|date=28 August 2023}} It supports the Serbian stance on the political status of Kosovo, considering Kosovo to be part of Serbia.{{cite news|work=Digi24.ro|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/george-simion-despre-scandalul-facut-la-meciul-cu-kosovo-de-galeria-de-ultrasi-pe-care-a-fondat-o-aseara-am-dormit-2503533|title=George Simion, despre scandalul făcut la meciul cu Kosovo de galeria de ultrași pe care a fondat-o: "Aseară am dormit"|date=13 September 2023}} By 2023, the party had become critical of Romanian military support for Ukraine in the Russo-Ukrainian War, suggesting that the war is "not ours". AUR also criticised the transit of Ukrainian agricultural products through Romania, and Simion has been banned from entering Ukraine.{{cite news | url=https://www.ft.com/content/31af3e55-97f7-4bc2-a4e6-89ed2c0c461e | title=Anti-Ukraine party gathers strength in Romania | newspaper=Financial Times | date=7 November 2023 | last1=Dunai | first1=Marton }} Nevertheless, the party leadership is critical of relations with Russia, with Simion calling for the expulsion of the Russian Ambassador and closing Russian consulates in Romania following Russian threats against Romania in December 2023.{{cite web | url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/george-simion-cere-expulzarea-lui-valeri-kuzmin-si-inchiderea-ambasadei-rusiei-2616879 | title=George Simion cere expulzarea lui Valeri Kuzmin și închiderea Ambasadei Rusiei | date=15 December 2023 }} Simion has called for Western nations to "stop exporting wars", suggesting that the downfall of the "strong Syrian state" during the Syrian Civil War had increased illegal immigration.{{cite news|work=Euronews|title=George Simion nu vrea niciun migrant în România: "Nu vom avea livratori de mâncare". Declarația vine în contextul acordului UE privind migrația|url=https://www.euronews.ro/articole/george-simion-nu-vrea-niciun-migrant-in-romania-declaratia-vine-in-contextul-acor|date=20 December 2023}}

AUR wishes to ensure Romania's self-sufficiency in energy, the prosecution of those deemed responsible for mismanaged post-Communist privatisation projects, and a fight against illegal logging by banning the export of non-processed wood. Additionally, AUR wishes to reform and modernise the education system, with a focus on reducing the overhead of political administration in order to improve the quality and the availability of education in Romania.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}} The party has a senate, which is equivalent to the National Executive Committee of other Romanian parties such as the PSD, the National Liberal Party (PNL), and the Save Romania Union (USR).{{Cite news |last=Florian |first=Marius |date=24 January 2020 |title=VIDEO Structura centrală AUR, aleasă! Apelul lui Simion, pentru constănțeni: "Trebuie să faceți DREPTATE!" |language=ro |work=Tomis News |url=https://tomisnews.ro/video-structura-centrala-aur-aleasa-apelul-lui-simion-pentru-constanteni-trebuie-sa-faceti-dreptate/ |access-date=19 December 2020 |archive-date=11 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511221518/https://tomisnews.ro/video-structura-centrala-aur-aleasa-apelul-lui-simion-pentru-constanteni-trebuie-sa-faceti-dreptate/ |url-status=dead }}

Notes:

¹ 1 senator and 4 deputies from NR were elected on AUR's list{{Cite web |date=11 February 2021 |title=O nouă facțiune parlamentară ruptă din AUR după excluderea Dianei Șoșoacă? Ninel Peia și-a impus cinci senatori și deputați pe listele partidului AUR, Claudiu Târziu explică mizele protocolului dintre cele două partide |url=https://www.g4media.ro/o-noua-factiune-parlamentara-rupta-din-aur-dupa-excluderea-dianei-sosoaca-ninel-peia-si-a-impus-cinci-senatori-si-deputati-pe-listele-partidului-aur.html |website=G4 Media |language=ro}}

Note:

¹ AUR Alliance members: AUR (5 MEPs), PNRC (1 MEP) and the other party members did not achieved any mandates (ARN, PRR and BUN).

• Romanian Nationhood Party
• List of political parties in Romania
• Politics of Moldova
• Politics of Romania

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite journal |last=Biliuță |first=Ionuț |year=2021 |title=Constructing Fascist Hagiographies: The Genealogy of the Prison Saints Movement in Contemporary Romania |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/contemporary-european-history/article/constructing-fascist-hagiographies-the-genealogy-of-the-prison-saints-movement-in-contemporary-romania/438539BC7B11180AD2DC70E379275723 |journal=Contemporary European History |language=en |volume=31 |issue=3 |pages=435–455 |doi=10.1017/S0960777321000424 |issn=0960-7773 |s2cid=244011991}}
• {{lay source |template=cite web |author=Ionuț Biliuță |date=3 December 2021 |title=Constructing Fascist Hagiographies: The Genealogy of the Prison Saints Movement in Contemporary Romania |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/blog/2021/12/03/constructing-fascist-hagiographies-the-genealogy-of-the-prison-saints-movement-in-contemporary-romania/ |website=Cambridge Core}}

• {{Official website|www.partidulaur.ro}} {{in lang|ro}}
• {{Official website|www.partidulaur.ro/english|English language version}}
• {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20210507174345/https://www.partidulaur.md/|Official website of the Moldovan branch}} (in Romanian; now defunct)

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