In certain cases, the false narratives in question originated in Romania, but most often it was a matter of taking over and/or adapting disinformation theses to local narratives that have external actors as their source, especially Russia, certain political currents from the West (the alt-right area, the radical left) or conspiracist circles.
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The Legionary Movement was not a fascist organization and did not commit mass crimes, a fact allegedly acknowledged by the Nuremberg Tribunal, Diana Șoșoacă absurdly claims.
Romanians who express their patriotism risk being arrested, according to a series of videos which, in addition to this false narrative, also contain xenophobic, racist, and anti-European messages. The videos, created with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), were posted on a Facebook account set up in December 2022 and received millions of views, but were deleted as soon as they were reported in the media.
Foreign investors are pulling out of Romania because of the failures of the Bolojan government and President Nicușor Dan, according to sovereignist propaganda.
The resizing of the US military contingent deployed to Romania has triggered a wave of indignation and patriotic panic attacks among local pro-Russian propaganda outlets, generously peppered with disinformation and outlandish allegations.
France manipulated the outcome of the Romanian elections, according to a false narrative appearing in a publication affiliated with the extremist AUR party.
Romania is the richest country in the EU in terms of resources, but it is impoverished by the European Union, according to MEP Diana Şoşoacă.
The AUR party should be in power because it ranks first in the polls, sovereignist propaganda writes.
Just like the Legionnaires and the Communists did before them, the Sovereignists have invented their own "enemies of the people and of the country", whom they demonize through visual propaganda. The targets include the EU, Ukraine, Soros, CCR, LGBTQ+, Nicușor Dan and Mugur Isărescu.
The political evolution of (Neo)Legionarism, from pocket political parties, such as those created by Marian Munteanu, to organizations like The New Right (Noua Dreaptă) – the connecting link between (Neo)Legionarism and sovereigntism – and politicians who frequently make the front page, such as George Simion, Călin Georgescu and Diana Șoșoacă.
The Legionary movement re-emerged in Romania shortly after the 1989 Revolution. Some legionary theses and ideas can be identified in the discourse of present-day sovereignists. Veridica briefly traces the development of the (neo)legionary movement in post-communist Romania, under the authorities’ permissive eye.
Romanian authorities want to annul the presidential election again, a Russian propaganda publication claims.
George Simion wants to take over the MAGA image, and his good score in the presidential election has brought him to the attention of European extremists. However, a sovereignist policy would spell economic costs and political isolation for Romania.
Fighting off Russia’ hybrid attacks, Moldova needs a good relationship with Romania. However, several presidential candidates have promoted a sovereignist, even pro-Russian discourse, and one of them was declared persona non grata in the Republic of Moldova.
The Europeans want to prolong the war even by sending troops to the front, according to a false narrative promoted in Romania by the controversial analyst Dan Dungaciu.
The so-called “blacklists” have recently remerged in Romania – they are particularly circulated by Călin Georgescu’s supporters. In Romania, blacklists have a rather dark history, as they were used by extremists to take out their opponents.
A new word is gradually gaining traction across media and political debates: “sovereignists”. How does it all impact liberal democracy? To what extent can sovereignists influence EU politics?
At the Union Hora, organized by the followers of Călin Georgescu, I got into a mix of nationalist mysticism, conspiracy theories, false Russian narratives and the belief that the "president elect" is some kind of messianic figure who will turn Romania into another Dubai.
Romanian extremists seem to believe that the return of Donald Trump is bound to bring them more voters and legitimize a type of discourse marked by populism and false narratives. They also hope that Trump will help them get the power. It is a kind of oxymoronic reasoning that shows that, in fact, Romanian extremists do not even understand the meaning of the word they adopted to define themselves - "sovereignism".
Politicians, influencers, and some media outlets have promoted false narratives related to sovereigntist discourse, wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, climate denial, and conspiracy theories, from "sanitary dictatorship" to moon landing.
With NATO's complicity, Klaus Iohannis has established a dictatorship and will start a war on Romanian territory, according to sovereigntist MP Daniel Ghiţă.
A fake account attributed to Julian Assange expresses its admiration for Călin Georgescu. The fake didn't bother the Romanian extremist, who instead set about debunking made-up fakes.
Narratives identical or similar to those fostered by Russian propaganda have also been circulated in the current election campaign in Romania. They transpired not only in the rhetoric of far-right parties, which for years have internalized such theses, but also in the statements of certain politicians aligned to Romania's pro-Western course.
There are no anti-EU, anti-NATO or far-right parties in Romania, claims Ion Cristoiu, a well-known promoter of narratives of Russian origin.
Pro-European right-wing parties in Romania grabbed large numbers of votes in Moldova, while the Romanian diaspora opted for sovereigntist forces. Experts believe that sovereigntists were rejected because they are hostile to Ukraine.
Romanian influencers, like the sports agent Ana Maria Prodan, continue to promote Călin Georgescu. Just like their favorite, influencers have been amplifying a series of Russian narratives, most of them adapted to Romania, but also all kinds of pseudo-scientific or conspiracy nonsense.
A far-right protest in Sofia against a XIX century play directed by John Malkovich brought to the spotlight the disinformation and propaganda campaign targeting Bulgaria’s culture and education.
From Diana Șoșoacă's “pen revolution” to George Simion's “giro giro girofaru” posts and #CălinGeorgescu, sovereigntists have taken Romania’s TikTok by storm, a space where they campaigned even on election day. Altogether, sovereigntist candidates grabbed nearly 40% of total votes.
Reservoirs will be conceded to foreign entities, in addition not other resources of Romania, according to a sovereigntist publication.
The Romanian state prohibits small producers from selling their goods outside the area of residence, according to a false narrative promoted by sovereigntists.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has slightly distanced himself from Russia for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine, but he has moved closer to the sovereigntists. This "dance" has very much to do with the interest in a post of European Commissioner.
The colonization of Romania, the war in Ukraine, conspiracy theories related to the "sanitary dictatorship" and climate change have been the favorite topics for most of the year’s false narratives.