The candidate of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), George Simion, insulted his opponent in the second round of the presidential elections, Nicușor Dan, using a disorder that affects one in 100 children – autism.
Csaba Asztalos, president of the National Council for Combating Discrimination (CNCD), described George Simion’s gesture as “unworthy of a candidate”. In turn, Nicușor Dan reacted on Facebook: “Wanting to be president and saying ‘autistic’ as an insult is unacceptable”.
Sociologist Gelu Duminică emphasized for Digi24.ro that when a person chooses to resort to such insults, this reveals what is “in their mind and soul”.
George Simion had a new slip-up on Thursday against his opponent, Nicuşor Dan. This is the second time he has used the term “autist” in public as an insult.
The first time, George Simion, invited to a podcast in which he was asked to describe his opponents, said about Nicușor Dan that he is “autistic”. The second time, on Thursday, May 15, while being filmed by a journalist, he said about the same Nicușor Dan that “he is autistic, the poor guy”.
While in Brussels on Thursday, May 15, AUR leader George Simion was asked by a Pro TV correspondent to elaborate on his campaign platform. Simion replied that he had sent a press release, “as one does.” He then added, “You have a candidate you support—he’s autistic, poor guy.”
Simion’s comments came after a speech in which he spoke about honoring all heroes who fought for freedom.
“We do the same at the European level, so we will fight for democracy, peace, and freedom,” said the AUR presidential candidate, before being approached by the journalist.
Here is a transcript of George Simion’s exchange with the Pro TV journalist:
Journalist: And a message for people in Romania?
George Simion: Best wishes, madam.
Journalist: What is your platform?
George Simion: Madam, I sent you a press release. Do you also harass people in the European Parliament?
Journalist: I’m not harassing you. Camelia Donțu, ProTV News. Won’t you speak with us?
George Simion: Well, yes, but don’t you see how you’re behaving? This isn’t proper.
Journalist: Can you give us a statement about today’s meetings?
George Simion: Certainly, I sent a press release, as is customary. You have a candidate you support—he’s autistic, poor guy.
Council for Combating Discrimination: “These people bring added value to society”
In a reaction to Digi24, Csaba Asztalos, president of the National Council for Combating Discrimination (CNCD), emphasized that people who suffer from this disorder “are integrated into society, they bring added value to society”. He recalls that “there are many parents who make an effort” so that their children, who are most often discriminated against, have the right to education.
“This is about behavior that is unworthy of a candidate for the highest office, that of president of Romania (…) The person who wants to become president of Romania takes an oath. In that oath, they assume the obligation, among other things, to defend the right to dignity of every citizen and the fundamental rights and freedoms”, emphasized Csaba Asztalos.
Autism is a disorder that affects communication and behavior and can occur in all ethnic, racial and economic groups. Statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated, in 2023, that one in 100 children suffers from autism. People who suffer from this disorder usually face stigma and discrimination.
Nicușor Dan “firmly” condemned George Simion’s insults
Nicușor Dan, offended for the second time in the same way, had a harsh reaction to his opponent George Simion, in a post on his Facebook account.
“It is intolerable to offend hundreds of thousands of children and adults with autism spectrum disorders in Romania. Families in Romania who have a child with special needs are struggling for a normal life in a state that only humiliates”, the independent candidate said.
The independent candidate “firmly” condemned the message “lacking humanity, unworthy of any decent person and with understanding towards his fellow man”. “The President of Romania, whichever of us will reach Cotroceni, must be the president of all citizens and understand, accept and help them to the same extent, regardless of their suffering“, Nicușor Dan also mentioned.
Sociologist: The moment you reach labels, slurs, you only say what is in your soul and mind
Sociologist Gelu Duminică emphasized, in a statement to Digi24.ro, that “no one chooses” to suffer from a certain disease or disorder.
“When we use a disease to induce a state of inferiority, even in the sick person, we are only showing the nothingness (n.r. the vanity) in our soul. To a person who you always tell, when he is sick, that he is sick, you are only destroying his self-esteem. When you address this characteristic to a person who does not suffer from that disease, you are only inducing a state of inferiority,” sociologist Gelu Duminică explained to Digi24.ro.
If a person feels the need to resort to such insults, this indicates that he has run out of counter-arguments and, thus, resorts to a gesture through which to induce a state of inferiority in the other person, Gelu Duminică also emphasized.
“The debate should be about argument-counterargument, but nowhere is insult seen as a form of dialogue, healthy communication, based on common sense. The moment you reach labels, slurs, you only say what is in your soul and mind,” the sociologist added.