Opinions

Veridica Editorials bring to your attention hot topics on the international agenda. Our journalists are closely following and monitoring international developments, in particular in countries in Central and Eastern Europe, and offer original and well-documented viewpoints that will provide you with a better insight into our reality.
From Horia Sima to the 2025 sovereignists: the legionnaires and post-communist Romania (II)
From Horia Sima to the 2025 sovereignists: the legionnaires and post-communist Romania (II)

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.

Veridica
15 May 2025
From Horia Sima to the 2025 sovereignists: the legionary movement and post-communist Romania (I)
From Horia Sima to the 2025 sovereignists: the legionary movement and post-communist Romania (I)

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.

Veridica
13 May 2025
George Simion, accused by former collaborators of lying and manipulating others
George Simion, accused by former collaborators of lying and manipulating others

George Simion made a name for himself as an anti-establishment activist and a militant for the unification of Romania and the Republic of Moldova, first with “Noii Golani” (The New Rascals), then with “Acțiunea 2012” (Action 2012). His collaborators from back then claim that the leader of AUR manipulated and lied to them in order to achieve his goals. They accuse Simion of violence, using minors and the destruction of the unionist movement. Others say that he would disappear for days, only to return with ready-made plans for future actions.

Romania has become a “laboratory” for Europe’s extremists
Romania has become a “laboratory” for Europe’s extremists

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.

Voting split abroad: a pro-EU Moldova, a pro-Sovereignist West
Voting split abroad: a pro-EU Moldova, a pro-Sovereignist West

Romanians in the Republic of Moldova overwhelmingly voted for Nicușor Dan, even though the ruling party, PAS, supported Crin Antonescu. Directly threatened by Moscow, the Moldovans rejected George Simion who, although he declared himself a unionist, is perceived as pro-Russian across the Prut. On the other hand, George Simion got most of the votes of the Romanian diaspora in Europe, which until recently preferred candidates and parties defined as pro-European and reformist.

Veridica
06 May 2025
Why Romania’s presidential elections matter in neighboring Moldova
Why Romania’s presidential elections matter in neighboring Moldova

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.

How Romanians are manipulated on social media: disinformation networks
How Romanians are manipulated on social media: disinformation networks

Networks of Facebook accounts, followed by millions of Romanians, simultaneously promote messages containing sovereignist and anti-EU themes. The messages are also featured on “apolitical” pages publishing mundane or religious content. Networks that promote the same messages were identified in a comprehensive online study.

Cezar Manu
30 Apr 2025
Is Turkey on the verge of a major crisis? The impact of Erdoğan's domestic and foreign policies
Is Turkey on the verge of a major crisis? The impact of Erdoğan's domestic and foreign policies

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's efforts to consolidate his power at home, as well as his foreign policy, have led to both the erosion of his regime and the deterioration of Turkey's relations with its traditional partners.

Riding For Justice: Taking the Fight Against Serbia’s regime to the Heart of Europe
Riding For Justice: Taking the Fight Against Serbia’s regime to the Heart of Europe

Amid the anti-corruption movement, Serb students travelled across Europe to make their demands known. They’ve also called for an investigation into the use of a sonic weapon against protesters.

The war in Ukraine left a mark on Latvia’s sports and culture
The war in Ukraine left a mark on Latvia’s sports and culture

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has become a kind of test of loyalty to Latvia for Latvian cultural and sports stars. Those who have “flirted” or even collaborated with Russia have fallen out of favor.

The USA and Ukraine’s mineral resources: it’s complicated
The USA and Ukraine’s mineral resources: it’s complicated

Ukraine and the USA could soon sign an agreement regarding Ukraine’s mineral resources, especially rare earths. However, it is unclear how large the deposits are, and a significant part of them are located in areas occupied by the Russians.

Ihor Lubianov
22 Apr 2025
Estonia launches crusade against the Moscow Patriarchate
Estonia launches crusade against the Moscow Patriarchate

Amid the war in Ukraine, Estonia wants its Orthodox Church to cut ties with the Russian Patriarchy. The initiative could be unconstitutional.

Chaos, Theater, and the Race for Poland’s Presidency
Chaos, Theater, and the Race for Poland’s Presidency

The election campaign in Poland is marked by bizarre candidates, debates unrelated to the president's duties, and the influence of Russian narratives and MAGA ideology.

Trump’s tariffs and the European Union: the good news and the bad news
Trump’s tariffs and the European Union: the good news and the bad news

The EU appears to be the rational and moral actor, abiding by the rules, in contrast to an unpredictable Donald Trump. As the so-called US soft power declines, the EU will gain geopolitical leverage.

The Illusion of Return: Western Brands, Russian Hopes, and the Mirage of Normality
The Illusion of Return: Western Brands, Russian Hopes, and the Mirage of Normality

Russians are hoping for an easing of sanctions and the return of big Western brands to the Russian market. Is this a real prospect – or simply a collective wish disguised as news?

Although increasingly isolated and frail, Lukashenko clings to power
Although increasingly isolated and frail, Lukashenko clings to power

Alexander Lukashenko’s looked frail and isolated at his 7th inauguration as Belarus president, consumed by old obsessions and leaning on his personal clan. The ceremony told more about the state of affairs in the regime than the dictator himself wanted it to.

Why ending the war may be more dangerous for Russia than continuing it
Why ending the war may be more dangerous for Russia than continuing it

In today’s Russia, ending the war in Ukraine may bring economic and social turmoil so profound that peace could pose greater risks to Kremlin than the conflict itself.

Will Trump continue to approach Russia if Putin refuses to make peace?
Will Trump continue to approach Russia if Putin refuses to make peace?

A good relationship with Russia would help the US isolate China. But Putin's decision to continue the war in Ukraine could convince Washington that Europe remains its most important partner.

Cosmin Popa
02 Apr 2025
America, Europe and the (im)possible rift
America, Europe and the (im)possible rift

World wars have transformed the USA into a “European power”. Its desire to free itself of Europe’s influence, fueled by suspicion and frustration, has always endured in American society.

Sofia: How Pro-Russians Used the Killing of a Bulgarian in Gaza
Sofia: How Pro-Russians Used the Killing of a Bulgarian in Gaza

Pro-rușii din Bulgaria au profitat de tăcerea pro-europenilor pentru a exploata în scop politic uciderea unui angajat bulgar al ONU în Fâșia Gaza.

The longest protest: Georgians continue to take to the streets for a future in the EU
The longest protest: Georgians continue to take to the streets for a future in the EU

For four months, Georgians have been protesting daily against the abandonment of the European path by a government seen as pro-Russian. The increasingly harsh response of the authorities has failed to deter the protesters.

Diana Shanava
28 Mar 2025
The shift in U.S. policy disrupts Estonian politics
The shift in U.S. policy disrupts Estonian politics

Amidst the uncertainties surrounding American security guarantees, Estonia is also marked by a political crisis. The country’s far right is the only one who seems pleased with the new developments.

Back to counting tanks: Europe’s new economic priorities
Back to counting tanks: Europe’s new economic priorities

The share of military expenditures in the GDP of European Union countries is set to rise, bringing Europe back to an era where security was defined not by investments in education or the green economy but by the number of tanks, aircraft, and soldiers.

Will Russia Choose Poland’s Next President?
Will Russia Choose Poland’s Next President?

The specter of foreign interference looms large over Poland’s upcoming presidential election. Will Warsaw face a rerun of the Romanian scenario, where Russian actors disrupted elections? And more importantly, is Poland prepared to withstand the onslaught?

Turkey’s war with PKK and corruption, a pretext for anti-democratic blunders
Turkey’s war with PKK and corruption, a pretext for anti-democratic blunders

The arrest of the Turkish opposition leader and a series of attacks against Kurdish militants suggest that, for the Erdoğan regime, maintaining power overrides external credibility.

Europe’s defense capacity: the Ukraine test
Europe’s defense capacity: the Ukraine test

The signals coming from the US regarding Ukraine and the transatlantic commitments are forcing Europeans to rethink their security. Obstacles: costs of hundreds of billions and extremists’ boycott.

In the Trump era, the Baltic States must rethink their security
In the Trump era, the Baltic States must rethink their security

While some argue that the Baltic States have been abandoned by a major strategic partner, others insist on the need for Europe to become more militarily independent.

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The "Potemkin" Economy: How Moscow Masks Its Economic Problems with Statistics

Official statistics show that Russia's economy is growing despite war and Western sanctions. In fact, economic problems are piling up and Russia risks recession.

Hitler, rock bands, and the social media: how does censorship work in Belarus
Hitler, rock bands, and the social media: how does censorship work in Belarus

Belarus has an ever increasing list of items deemed extremist, ranging from reasonable ones, like Hitler’s Mein Kampf, to rock songs that authorities see as being critical to Lukashenko’s regime.

"Death lists", political crime and the obsessive fascination with fascism

The practice of compiling “blacklists”  has reemerged in Romania. Such lists were used by legionnaires and communists to take out their opponents. The former provoked a spiral of political violence and death.

The Apocalypse didn’t happen: the Baltic states disconnected from Russia’s power grid
The Apocalypse didn’t happen: the Baltic states disconnected from Russia’s power grid

On February 8, the Baltic states completely disconnected their power grids from Russia’s and switched to the European grid. Contrary to concerns, this transition did not cause any major complications.

How Bulgaria’s Politicians Quickly Mastered Trumpian English
How Bulgaria’s Politicians Quickly Mastered Trumpian English

The ruling GERB party, marred in the past by corruption allegations but with a pro-European discourse, is embracing some ideas of pro-Russian extremists and seems ready to adapt to Washington's new policy.

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Fake News

Disinformation uses a variety of manipulation tactics. Disinformation stories can easily be created by combining provocative topics.

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