ANALYSIS Wave of departures from AUR. How George Simion’s party collapsed

AUR is facing a new wave of resignations these days. If at the beginning of 2023, AUR had lost around 20% of its MPs, the trend continued in 2024. A wave of resignations was consumed in February, when Dumitru Coarnă also left the party, disappointed with the party’s leadership. In March, the members of the Piatra Neamț AUR organization resigned en masse. Recently, Valentin Florea, candidate for District 6, also announced his resignation from the party.

The effect of departures before the elections

These resignations and expulsions have the potential to have a significant impact on election results and the stability of the party as a whole. One of the main issues to consider is the party’s reputation and how these departures might influence public perception. The departures could raise alarm bells for voters, suggesting possible internal problems or differences of opinion that could undermine the cohesion and effectiveness of the AUR party.

In addition, party departures could impact the quality of candidates and the party’s ability to mobilize supporters. With fewer active members and supporters, the AUR may have difficulty promoting its agenda and garnering enough votes to gain or maintain positions in local councils or the European Parliament.

Another important aspect is the impact on the party’s political unity and ideological coherence. Departures from AUR’s ranks could lead to internal division and power struggles, thus weakening the party’s ability to act as a unit.

At the same time, in the context of local elections, where competition often focuses on local issues and the quality of public services, departures from the party could lead to a loss of connection with the real concerns and needs of local communities.

An authoritarian leadership

The common denominator of these departures from the party seems to be the authoritarian leadership style exercised by George Simion. Thus, the massive departures from AUR, amid an authoritarian leadership exercised by George Simion, are not only signs of internal tensions, but may have profound consequences for the party’s future and results.

First, authoritarian leadership can alienate party members. When decisions are made unilaterally and there is little or no consultation with members, they may feel neglected or voiceless within the party. This lack of engagement can breed dissatisfaction and frustration, which can ultimately lead to departures from the party. This is exactly how things were in the other opposition party, USR, which between 2019 and 2021 faced numerous departures due to the leadership style exercised by Dan Barna. Later, there were also departures during the leadership of Cătălin Drula.

As the press recently revealed, the AUR candidates in the local elections will be called, in the next period, to Bucharest, where they will take a polygraph test, to prove their loyalty and devotion to the AUR and George Simion. Such a practice is unheard of in a democracy.

Second, authoritarian leadership can lead to a culture of internal fear and repression. Party members may be intimidated or sanctioned for expressing dissenting views or criticizing the leadership. This climate of fear can inhibit debate and innovation within the party and prevent effective identification and resolution of internal problems.

This is how things were in the case of Ciprian Ciubuc, excluded from AUR. He talked about how several members were kicked out of the party illegally, or how the party’s parliamentarians were intimidated by Simion to sign several documents, including one related to changing the statute. Ciubuc declared that his exclusion from the party took place three days after the organization of the congress, being eliminated based on a new party statute, modified in the National Leadership Committee (CNC) of which he was also a part.

“This statute change took place a month before the congress, when, according to the former AUR deputy, George Simion called the elected representatives of the party one by one to his office, and under the pressure of some video cameras he allegedly made them sign more documents. “George Simion, under the pressure of two chambers, called all the deputies to his office in the Parliament, with me being the secretary, and forced them to sign the amendment of the statute one by one, without debating the new statute and without be presented the changes in the new statute. We were asked to sign three documents.

The first is that we agree with the congress on the 27th (March) and that we were present at this meeting of the CNC, the second is that we agree with the changes to the statute and the third is that we agree to be the president of the party”, says the parliamentarian. This adds that the three people who were excluded from the party were the only ones who refused to sign, and then Danuț Aelenei decided to run for the leadership of the AUR to challenge the party leader. “George Simion was shocked when Dănuț Aelenei, a candidate without a chance, decided to run against him. He was very nervous and pressured him to quit,” said Ciubuc.

In addition, authoritarian leadership can undermine the party’s credibility and legitimacy in the eyes of voters. When party leaders are perceived as dictatorial or unfriendly to democratic principles, voters may lose confidence in the party and seek political alternatives. This can also be seen in opinion polls, where GOLD has been in the doldrums lately.

In conclusion, the massive departures from AUR are a sign of the party’s decline and may have a significant impact on the 2024 elections.

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