EUPopLink Country report - Romania

This country report examines the evolving relationship between populism and Euroscepticism in Romania. While Romania has traditionally maintained strong public support for European Union membership, recent political developments reveal emerging tensions beneath this pro-European consensus. The report highlights a paradox: widespread endorsement of EU and NATO membership coexists with growing sovereigntist and anti-globalist sentiments. The rise of populist actors, particularly AUR, SOS Romania, POT, and the independent figure Călin Georgescu, has contributed to the articulation of diverse forms of Euroscepticism, ranging from moderate "Euro-realism" to radical calls for withdrawal from the EU. These actors mobilize identity-based narratives centered on nationalism, traditional values, and distrust of external influence. At the same time, mainstream parties and civil society have responded by reaffirming Romania's Western orientation, culminating in significant civic mobilization during the 2025 presidential elections. The findings suggest that, rather than rejecting European integration, Romanian society is increasingly negotiating the terms of its participation, seeking greater national autonomy within a pro-European framework.