Romania annuls first round of presidential vote won by far-right candidate

A landmark decision by a top Romanian court has sent shockwaves through the country’s political landscape. The Constitutional Court made the unprecedented move to annul the first round of the presidential election after intelligence was declassified, revealing a large-scale social media campaign allegedly orchestrated by Russia to promote candidate Calin Georgescu.

Georgescu, a far-right outsider, had emerged as the frontrunner in the first round of the election, despite declaring zero campaign spending. The intelligence files, declassified by President Klaus Iohannis, implicated Russia in running a coordinated online campaign across platforms like TikTok and Telegram to boost Georgescu’s candidacy.

The court’s decision to annul the election results means that a new date will be set to rerun the first round of voting. This move has been met with mixed reactions, with reformist Elena Lasconi, who was due to face Georgescu in a runoff, condemning the decision as “illegal, immoral, and undemocratic.” Lasconi expressed confidence in her ability to win and vowed to continue fighting for the Romanian people.

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu supported the court’s decision, stating that the annulment was necessary to address the distortion of the Romanian people’s vote due to external interference. He called for a thorough investigation to uncover those responsible for attempting to influence the election outcome.

The court’s decision comes amidst a turbulent election cycle in Romania, with controversies ranging from recounts to allegations of foreign interference. Political consultant Cristian Andrei described the situation as a “crisis mode for Romanian democracy,” highlighting the need for robust institutions to safeguard against future interference.

Georgescu’s unexpected success in the first round of the election raised eyebrows, with many attributing his popularity to his TikTok account, which boasts millions of likes and followers. However, suspicions have been raised about the authenticity of his online following, with allegations of artificial inflation and preferential treatment by social media platforms.

The intelligence release revealed that a TikTok user had paid over $381,000 to promote Georgescu’s content, leading to an “aggressive promotion campaign” to boost his popularity. In a recent interview, Georgescu defended the role of social media in promoting free speech and expression, despite concerns about its potential impact on democracy.

As Romania prepares for a new round of presidential elections, the country faces a critical juncture in its democratic process. The annulment of the first round highlights the challenges posed by external interference and the need for vigilance in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral system.