Bucharest [Romania]: Romania’s Constitutional Court has annulled the first round of the presidential election following allegations of Russian interference in promoting far-right candidate Calin Georgescu. The court’s decision mandates a complete rerun of the election, citing concerns over the integrity and legality of the electoral process.
In its ruling, the court stated, “The electoral process to elect Romania’s president will be fully rerun, and the government will set a new date and … calendar for the necessary steps.” The decision followed intelligence disclosures by President Klaus Iohannis, who alleged that Romania had been the target of “aggressive hybrid Russian attacks” during the election.
The alleged interference involved coordinated campaigns on social media platforms like TikTok and Telegram, amplifying support for Georgescu, known for his anti-European Union and anti-NATO positions. This unexpected surge in Georgescu’s popularity had raised concerns about Romania’s pro-Western stance.
In the initial results announced on November 25, Georgescu, 62, led with nearly 23% of the vote, narrowly ahead of centre-left Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who secured around 20%. Centre-right candidate Elena Lasconi followed with 19%, and far-right leader George Simion garnered 14%. Notably, Georgescu had polled only 5% in surveys before the election, making his rise a major surprise.
Exit polls had initially suggested a different outcome, with Ciolacu, leader of the Social Democratic Party, in the lead and Lasconi in second place, in an election dominated by economic issues and rising living costs.
The annulment highlights growing concerns about foreign influence in democratic processes. The government is now tasked with rescheduling the election to ensure a transparent and fair electoral process. The rerun comes at a critical time for Romania, as the country grapples with maintaining its pro-Western trajectory amidst internal and external challenges.