Romanian right-wing presidential candidate George Simion made a surprise visit to Poland, appearing in Zabrze to support Karol Nawrocki.
The first round of Romania’s presidential elections took place on May 4. Simion, representing the conservative AUR party, secured first place with nearly 41 percent of the vote—far exceeding poll predictions that gave him up to 20 points less. This weekend, he faces off in the second round against Bucharest’s pro-European mayor, Nicușor Dan.
Karol Nawrocki was also in Zabrze today to congratulate residents on the successful recall of Mayor Agnieszka Rupniewska.
“Today I am joined by the future president of Romania, George Simion. Together with Romania—once George wins—we will build a Europe of values, where the European Union cannot centralize power and turn Poland and Romania into mere provinces. Together with the Romanian people, we will develop the Bucharest Nine and strengthen our relations with the United States. We will build a Europe of Nations—independent states, each rooted in their own values,” Nawrocki declared.
“We do not want to give up our values, our defense capabilities, or our currency. That’s why my friend George is here with me today,” he emphasized.
Referring to the recall of Zabrze’s mayor, Nawrocki described the city as the “civic capital of Poland.” Attendees began chanting, “Zabrze free from Platforma,” referencing the opposition Civic Platform party.
“Zabrze is free from Platforma because the party failed to govern your city effectively. When party politics take over cities—when inconvenient people are thrown out of city halls—we know how to say a firm ‘no.’ You proved that. Your local community wants to grow and tap into its potential. It does not want ideology forced into its schools and onto its streets. Government, whether national or local, exists to govern. Today, from Zabrze, a message is being sent to all of Poland: ‘A bad government that ignores public finances and goes after its opponents will not be tolerated.’ You have rejected that,” he concluded.