Romania Cancels Presidential Election Results

Romania’s Constitutional Court annulled the results of the presidential election on Friday, just two days before the scheduled second-round vote.

This ruling follows a chaotic election process marred by accusations of Russian interference aimed at supporting the far-right candidate.

The court explained that the entire presidential election process had been canceled to ensure the integrity and legality of the vote.

A new election date will be set by the government, following the court's call for a full restart of the electoral process.

During the first round of voting, nationalist candidate Călin Georgescu emerged as the frontrunner, a result that shocked many in Romania's political circles.

His unexpected lead raised serious concerns regarding the fairness and transparency of the election.

The court’s decision pointed to several violations of electoral laws throughout the stages of the election, which compromised the legitimacy of the process.

These violations were linked to classified intelligence documents, which suggested that TikTok played a significant role in promoting Georgescu’s campaign, with further allegations of Russian involvement.

The court emphasized that these documents were pivotal in its unanimous decision to annul the election, stressing the need to ensure a “free, fair, and lawful” election process.

Călin Georgescu, a 62-year-old former high-ranking official, has been known for his controversial political views. He has expressed opposition to providing military aid to neighboring Ukraine and frequently criticized both the European Union and NATO.

While he has previously expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, he has recently refrained from making any direct comments on the matter.

In reaction to the court’s ruling, Georgescu claimed the decision amounted to a “formal coup,” stating that democracy in Romania was being attacked.

He urged the people of Romania to stand firm on shared values and stated that neither the authorities nor his opponents could prevent him or the people from achieving the change they desired.

Following the court’s annulment of the election results, the United States called for a peaceful democratic process in Romania.

A US State Department spokesperson urged all parties to uphold constitutional order and engage in a democratic process that reflects the will of the Romanian people, free from violence or intimidation.