AUR Rift: Dan Dungaciu Claims Founder Marius Lulea Is No Longer a Party Member

Marius Lulea publicly disputed claims made by senior political figures on October 5, 2026, insisting he remains a member of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians despite statements from party leadership suggesting otherwise.

Leadership Disagreements at Cotroceni

Dungaciu stated: După știința mea, acesta nu mai este nici măcar membru AUR. Dungaciu characterized public differences of opinion within the formation as outside influences seeking to pressure the party. In remarks reported by Cotidianul, Dungaciu compared such dissenting voices to external commentators and suggested that statements advocating for government participation stemmed from external pressures rather than genuine internal debate.

The remarks followed a video statement posted on TikTok earlier on Monday by party leader George Simion. În AUR este o disciplină. Se merge pe calea neamului românesc, alături de Călin Georgescu. Sunt unii care vor să creeze dezbinări. Petrișor Peiu also remarked: Asta nu înseamnă că partidul are mai multe curente, adding regarding party decisions: Oamenii se exprimă la nivelul la care se exprimă și în ce contexte doresc, bet din punct de vedere al hotărârii, trebuie să vă spun că am avut în Comitetul Național de Conducere un vot unanim.

Marius Lulea Rejects Claims of Membership Removal

Marius Lulea rejected the assertions regarding his membership status. In statements provided to G4Media, Lulea confirmed that he retains his membership and described any unannounced removal as illegal. He emphasized his role as a founding member and the initial president who signed the lists when the party entered parliament. Lulea also reiterated that the party was founded by himself, Cosmin Iosub, and Sorin Lulea, rather than other individuals.

Ar fi cel puțin ilegal ca într-un partid să fie eliminat cineva, fără ca el să știe, pentru libertatea de exprimare, Lulea stated, adding that freedom of expression underpins the legal operation of political parties. He further characterized the assertions from leadership as political malice, stating that certain individuals had been carried away by the momentum.

The public dispute highlights underlying organizational tensions within the sovereignist faction regarding ideological alignment and communication strategies. Lulea previously served as the party’s number two official until November 2025, when Dan Dungaciu assumed the role of first vice-president. Disagreements between leadership factions emerged previously in September 2026, when figures including Lulea, Gheorghe Piperea, and Mohammad Murad publicly questioned Simion’s political strategy regarding potential parliamentary majorities.

Unresolved Party Status

Until an official confirmation from AUR or Marius Lulea, the report that he is no longer a party member remains at the level of the declaration made by Dan Dungaciu following the consultations at Cotroceni Palace. As of late Monday, formal documentation regarding Lulea’s administrative status within internal party registries has not been made public, leaving the contradiction between leadership statements and the founder’s assertions unresolved.