George Simion calls unauthorized Bucharest protest for Saturday, 14 November

A rally without authorization

George Simion, the AUR leader, has called supporters to a rally on Saturday, 14 November, in front of Bucharest City Hall (Primăria Capitalei). He presents it as a response to what he calls an attack on the freedom of public assemblies by Mayor Ciprian Ciucu. In a Facebook post he asked participants to bring tricolour flags, avoid provocation and stay peaceful, noting that Saturday is Lăsatul Secului. Bucharest City Hall has not authorized the protest, citing security risks. Simion says thousands of people will attend.

“We will not let ourselves be provoked by anyone, we will not become violent.”

Dispute over authorization

On Wednesday evening, 11 November, Simion told Digi24 that there was no guarantee things would not degenerate, and he called on state institutions to protect protesters. He accused Ciucu of passing responsibility to the police and the gendarmerie and asked him to say clearly whether he authorizes the rally. Asked about the risk of violence, Simion said:

“There is no guarantee that things will not degenerate.”

He said he would take on an organizer role only if state institutions authorize the protest, and otherwise does not assume responsibility for the event. A new public order meeting at City Hall is set for Thursday, 12 November, at 12:00, and Nicolae Voiculeț will attend it.

Parliament programme and observers

AUR plans debates, conferences and courses for members at the Palace of Parliament from 18:00 on Friday, 13 November, running through Sunday, 15 November. Simion framed the programme as a response to a visit by Ursula and Guy Verhofstadt tied to the EuroSfat event. He said most participants are party members who will also attend the rally. He claimed about 100 parliamentarians, MEPs and diplomats, including Americans, would be in Bucharest on Saturday to observe whether freedom of expression is respected in Romania. He also said about 20 Polish parliamentarians and trade union members would attend, offering their names only if institutions asked. He rejected speculation that foreign guests intend to occupy Parliament or commit violence.

Conflicting start times and next steps

Ziare.com and Mediafax both give 10:00 for the protest in front of City Hall. Mediafax also cites an earlier statement in which Simion said the rally would take place in any circumstances on Saturday at 14:00 in front of the Chamber of Deputies. The sources do not explain which venue and time will apply on the day. Mediafax reports that Simion has said AUR members would protest the arrest of Călin Georgescu between 14 and 15 November. He has also posted on Facebook that Georgescu is innocent. Simion says he will be in Alba Iulia on 1 December, Romania's National Day.