The president of the European People’s Party (EPP), Manfred Weber, has unleashed a political storm by harshly criticizing the Romanian Social Democrats for not backing the “pro-European” candidate Nicușor Dan in Romania’s presidential race. In a post on X published on May 6, Weber called the decision “unacceptable” and demanded a “clear commitment” against the rise of “extremism,” while reaffirming the EPP’s support for Dan, who will face nationalist George Simion in the second round on May 18.
However, Weber’s words have sparked a wave of criticism from those who accuse the Brussels elite of interfering in the internal affairs of member states—a practice that faces little scrutiny, even as the EU remains quick to denounce meddling by foreign powers such as Russia or China.
The Romanian Social Democrats’ decision not to back the pro-European presidential candidate is simply unacceptable. I expect a clear commitment—no room for political games as extremism rises.
We fully backs the decision of our member parties to show their support for Nicușor Dan.— Manfred Weber (@ManfredWeber) May 6, 2025
The context of the Romanian elections is a political powder keg. After the 2024 elections were annulled due to alleged Russian interference and electoral fraud, George Simion, leader of the nationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), secured a resounding 41% in the first round of the re-run elections on Sunday, leaving Nicușor Dan, a pro-EU centrist, with 21%.
The resignation of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and the appointment of Cătălin Predoiu as interim PM have intensified the political crisis in a key country for the EU, one that shares a border with Ukraine and plays a crucial role in logistical support for Kyiv. But while attention turns to possible maneuvers from Moscow, many in Romania point to another type of interference: the one coming from Brussels.
Reactions to Weber’s comment were swift. X users accused the EPP of trying to “influence national political dynamics” and questioned what “European values” Weber claims to defend by intervening in a democratic process. Others were more direct: “Who do you think you are to interfere in our elections? Mind your own failed country.” The tone of the responses reflects a growing unease among Romanians, who see Weber’s words as an attempt to impose a Europhile agenda that ignores the sovereign will of the voters.
The EU has been quick to denounce external interference, such as the alleged Russian operation that led to the annulment of the 2024 Romanian presidential election, but rarely questions its own influence. Weber, from his position as EPP leader, does not hesitate to pressure national parties to support candidates who fit Brussels’ vision, a practice many see as a form of political coercion.
The Romanian case highlights a key tension in the European project: the contradiction between defending national sovereignty and imposing political uniformity. Weber can talk about extremism, but his intervention in Romania reminds us that the greatest threat to democracy might come from within the EU itself.
