AUR rises to 40% in polls, young people are turning towards anti-system parties, and the AUR candidate becomes a surprise favorite for the Bucharest City Hall.

A survey conducted by the INSCOP institute shows that the AUR party could reach almost 40% of the votes in the event of new parliamentary elections, double the result obtained in the December 2024 election. The director of INSCOP, Remus Ștefureac, explains the rise through the transfer of votes from other radical formations (S.O.S., POT), the polarization generated by the presidential elections in May – when George Simion obtained over 38% in the first round – but also through the growing distrust in traditional parties, against the backdrop of inflation, rising prices, and Russian anti-EU and anti-NATO propaganda.

The surveys also show that young people between 18 and 30 years old are particularly leaning towards AUR (34%) and the new progressive party SENS (16%). AUR capitalizes on economic dissatisfaction and anti-system messages, while SENS attracts attention with themes such as climate change, housing, and mental health. Remus Ștefureac emphasizes that the major parties lack policies and communication dedicated to this generation, making them unattractive to the young electorate.

Regarding the elections for the Bucharest City Hall on December 7, Remus Ștefureac believes that Anca Alexandrescu, the candidate supported by AUR, is a serious competitor. According to estimates, AUR has a potential of about 25% in the capital – enough to win in a single-round election, with a strongly fragmented vote. Against the backdrop of frustrations related to social privileges, excessive spending, and the way the governing coalition manages public administration, he warns that the scenario from 2024 could repeat itself, when an anti-system candidate won the first round of the presidential elections.