Romanian rural turn to faith and far right before presidential election replay

Sasci (AP) of Romania – In a picturesque village in central Romania, Zoica Roth Bemoans, 83, lacks opportunities for young people and says she doesn't believe that the upcoming presidential election can help stop the countryside from escaping.

“I have two girls and two boys. I only see each other once in the summer because they are both abroad because they are all abroad,” she told the Associated Press in the farm yard in Saschiz, Murres County. “The only solution is to leave…I miss them.”

Anger at Romanian political institutions in recent years has sparked support for far-right figures in the EU and NATO member states, reflecting a broad pattern throughout Europe.

In last year's general election, far-right leader Calin Georgescu (now under investigation and is prohibited from rerunning) received strong support in rural communities and 43% of the votes in large Romanian diaspora, and called for patriotism and emphasis on faith and emphasis on faith.

Georgescu's policy recommendations include supporting local farmers, reducing import dependence and increasing domestic energy and food production. “He's a good guy,” Ross said, adding that the Supreme Court's decision to cancel the election on December 6 was “very confusing.”

The 11 candidates she selected were also disappointed in the replay of the election on Sunday. “There is nothing to choose from, they are all the same,” she added.

Countryside Exodus

Until 1989, the development of rural Romania lags behind the cities. In a country with about 19 million people, about 45% of Romanians live in rural areas, which often lacks jobs and basic infrastructure.

After joining the EU in 2007, millions of Romanians, including the Ross family, moved abroad to seek better opportunities and tear down countless families. Like many ancient Romanians, Ross is now full of love for life during communism.

“It was good then, we had a workplace, we had a job,” Ross said. “Now I have my pension, but the young people coming have no jobs and nowhere to go.

Lack of opportunity fuel dissatisfaction

Monica Rosalea, 41, works from her home in Saschiz to make ends meet and work regularly in Germany.

“It's hard because there's no job…we're all going abroad,” she said. “We have kids, how should we raise them? We're forced to keep them at home. The little money you bring from abroad, you're spending all the money here… everything is expensive.”

Rosalea voted for George Cu last year. “I'm not alone in choosing him…everyone voted for him. But see what happened.” “Honestly, I didn't know I'm going to vote now. There's no real choice.”

According to data from the European Statistics Office Eurostat, rural Romania had the lowest employment in 2023, with only 61% of working-age people working. Youth unemployment has declined in most parts of the EU over the past decade, but has also increased in rural Romania.

For Alexandra Todea, 23, who worked as logistics administrator at a local preservation factory in Saschiz, Georgescu’s message resonated as he saw “the potential of rural areas” that made people hope things could improve.

“If the Romanian country supports our young people… then there is no need to leave and go to another country to do something,” she said. “We do have the potential, just no one invests.”

Just as many Romanian messages resonate, Todia questioned the legitimacy of canceling the election and feeling the robbery of his previous vote. “Unfortunately, this right was taken from me,” she added.

Her colleague, Aliz Alamorean, 23, shocked the trend after she moved back to Romania this year after living in Spain since she was five years old. “I don't feel like a stranger, but I don't feel at home either,” she said, adding that she would vote for George Cu if he was allowed to run again.

“The same person always has to win, and when they see the 'wrong' person win, they cancel it,” she said. “If I find it's not working out, I pack up and go back.”

The far-right support growth

Life in rural Romania is often shaped by tradition, belief and community relations, but the challenges are distinct. Lack of opportunities, underdeveloped schools, and lack of access to health care can deepen the sense of abandonment among the political class.

A week after the first round of presidential elections on November 24, the Alamorians voted for a unified far-right alliance of Romanians or Orr in parliamentary elections. Orr declared to represent “family, nation, faith and freedom” and doubled down on support.

The party’s leader, George Simion, ranked fourth in last year’s competition, later supported Georgescu and was widely regarded as the successor to his upcoming vote. The median poll indicates that he will enter runoff on May 18.

Throughout the countryside, many Romanians still raise crops and animals on the land. But in rural communities (90% of families rely on firewood to heat their homes), not everyone exercises their voting rights.

“I only have three years of school,” said Attila Agostun, 46, a shepherd, who has never voted because he watched the flock of sheep grazing in the emerald pasture near Kant's village. “I’ve been with animals all my life…that’s where I grew up.”

The European Statistics Agency said the risk of poverty or social exclusion in rural Romania is 45%, 26 percentage points higher than that in cities.

Faith provides hope for rural communities

However, the Orthodox Church plays a central role in rural communities and offers hope.

In the spring of spring, Birdsong fills the courtyard of 54-year-old Liliana Cosurean in the remote village of Floresti, when she spreads local cheese and homemade jams. She said she was blessed in the forests and rolling hills, which she called “a small corner of heaven” where the slow tourism industry brought positive changes.

But she admits that recent political turmoil has divided people. “There seems to be a certain tension in the air, and I hope it will be for the young people,” she said. “I sincerely hope that things will remain peaceful and not collapse.”

She doesn't want to say who she voted for in the last game, nor is she sure if she will vote on Sunday. She described Georgescu as “a man with goodness and fear of God” and believed that he inspired trust because he spoke openly about faith.

“It may be something that can unite us,” she said. “Faith can move mountains… people with faith can do anything.”