Part 4/9:
The AUR's emergence in Romanian politics can be traced back to its appeals during the 2020 elections, where it unexpectedly secured 9% of the vote. As the political landscape shifted, particularly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, public sentiment began to wane in favor of continued support for Ukraine. Initially, solidarity among Romanians was palpable; however, by 2023, only 20% of the population favored continued military aid to Ukraine, allowing parties like AUR to capitalize on growing nationalistic and anti-establishment sentiments.