Belgium’s Romanians Set to Boost Far-Right’s Rise to Power

On Sunday, Romanians are heading to the polls for critical parliamentary elections, with recent polls indicating that hard-right parties are poised to secure approximately one-third of the vote. This surge comes on the heels of an unexpected rise in popularity for Georgescu, who made headlines last week with a shock victory that has reshaped the political landscape.

The stakes are monumental. A victory for the far-right presidential contender—an open admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin and fierce critic of the EU—could upend Romania’s reputation as a steadfast NATO ally and EU member. This shift comes at a precarious moment for the bloc, as it navigates the ongoing war in Ukraine and braces for potential geopolitical changes with the return of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

In Belgium, 51 percent of Romanians voted for Georgescu in last Sunday’s election. Analysts believe these overseas voters are “very likely” to support him again in the runoff set for December 8, according to Oana Zamfir, director of the Bucharest-based GlobalFocus Center think tank.

This trend isn’t isolated to Belgium. Globally, 43 percent of Romanian expatriates cast their vote for Georgescu, making him the top candidate among the diaspora in the U.K., France, Germany, and Italy. By contrast, liberal candidate Elena Lasconi, his main opponent, received only 27 percent of the overseas vote.

Part of Georgescu’s appeal abroad stems from lingering frustrations within the Romanian diaspora. “They feel deeply disillusioned, having been forced to build a life elsewhere while idealizing their homeland,” said Zamfir. “They see Romania as trapped by an inept political class unable to create the conditions for them to stay and thrive.”

Disenchantment with the System

In Belgium, where Romanians form the country’s second-largest immigrant group, Georgescu’s support can be attributed partly to a sense of abandonment by the Romanian state. According to Daria Pîrvu, a project expert at the ROMBEL non-profit organization, this disenchantment has left many feeling alienated and underserved. ROMBEL, a group that provides practical support and facilitates discussions for Romanians in Belgium, has highlighted how this alienation fuels an embrace of anti-establishment figures like Georgescu.

As Romanians prepare to cast their votes in the coming days, the outcome could have profound implications not just for their country, but for the political trajectory of southeastern Europe.