Romanian Election Canceled Over Russian Interference Claims
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Romania’s electoral authorities have nullified the first round of presidential elections, citing Russian interference in the voting process.
The decision comes after right-wing candidate Calin Georgescu emerged victorious in the initial vote, effectively canceling the planned Sunday runoff election.
The court announced Friday that the entire presidential election process would be restarted, with the government tasked to establish new dates and schedules for the electoral proceedings.
Romania's top court has annulled the presidential election after declassified intelligence revealed Russian interference, promoting far-right candidate Călin Georgescu via social media.
Sky's @adamparsons reports from Bucharest.https://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3
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While detailed reasoning for the decision remains pending, the high court stated it acted to protect electoral integrity and legitimacy.
The runoff was originally set to pit Georgescu against Elena Lasconi, a centrist candidate advocating stronger European Union relations.
The Constitutional Court’s ruling followed the release of previously classified information from a recent CSAT meeting.
Lasconi responded forcefully to the court’s decision to annul the election results, stating: “Today is the moment when the Romanian state trampled over democracy. God, the Romanian people, the truth and the law will prevail and will punish those who are guilty of destroying our democracy.”
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu endorsed the annulment, declaring: “the only correct solution after the declassification of the documents… which show that the result of the Romanians’ vote was blatantly distorted as a result of Russia’s intervention.”
Georgescu, who built his campaign primarily on TikTok, has positioned himself as an anti-establishment figure, criticizing major international organizations and promoting conservative viewpoints.
Speaking about one such organization, he stated: “In a sense that UN could be a fantastic, can have a fantastic role. But it’s not. Because it’s totally under control of the oligarchs.” He added: “The problem is that these oligarchs, all of them, are related with the system of the pedophilia. Because we know that there are more than 8 million children per year, which they disappear.”
This development mirrors similar situations elsewhere in Europe, notably in Germany, where authorities are considering banning the conservative Alternative for Germany party over extremism concerns.
The situation exemplifies a growing trend where establishment forces challenge electoral outcomes they find unfavorable.
