Diaspora voting split into two groups - migrant and sophisticated - according to a study by sociologist Barbu Mateescu. The migrant diaspora, largely living in compact communities and struggling with poverty, overwhelmingly voted for AUR and its leader George Simion. Their loyalty stems from a desire for a strong state that can address their basic needs and from a strong attachment to AUR’s chief promoter, Călin Georgescu, who they view as a charismatic, patriotic figure. The sophisticated diaspora, typically university‑educated and better integrated in host countries, largely supported Nicușor Dan. They cite dissatisfaction with Romania’s public institutions, education and health systems as motivation for their vote. The study, which interviewed voters in Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Romania and Moldova, found that neither group fully understood the reasons behind the annulment of the 2024 presidential elections. It also suggests that the introduction of a socialist party could attract many migrant voters away from AUR, potentially reshaping the political landscape. The findings highlight the link between socioeconomic status, integration and political preference among Romanians abroad.

Original article can be found here.