Romanian court invalidates presidential election, orders new campaign and vote

06 December 2024 , 16:57

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Romanian court invalidates presidential election, orders new campaign and vote

Romania’s Constitutional Court has annulled the first round of the presidential election amid allegations of Russian interference, which reportedly helped far-right candidate Călin Georgescu emerge as a surprising frontrunner.

Romania’s Constitutional Court has annulled the presidential election held two weeks ago, ordering the entire process to restart, including the pre-election campaign. The decision follows findings from the country’s intelligence service that Russia influenced the vote through a coordinated social media campaign.

The previously little-known far-right NATO-skeptic, Călin Georgescu, emerged as the frontrunner after securing most votes in the first round and was set to face opposition candidate Elena Lasconi of the Save Romania Union in the second round on Sunday. 

Investigators are now examining allegations of voter manipulation and online propaganda aimed at boosting Georgescu’s candidacy.

Georgescu, known for praising Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "great patriot" and labeling Ukraine "an invented state," was rapidly rebranded as a pro-Western candidate through TikTok and Telegram posts. Prosecutors announced Thursday that their investigation would explore "indications of electoral crimes, including voter bribery and online manipulation, intended to sway votes for a specific candidate."

The probe comes after outgoing President Klaus Iohannis released an intelligence service report alleging Russian support for a social media campaign that redefined Georgescu’s image. 

His TikTok account, for instance, garnered nearly six million likes and over 500,000 followers within weeks. Romanian intelligence claims one TikTok user spent $381,000 (€361,000) to amplify pro-Georgescu content, a significant investment aimed at increasing his platform visibility.

Sophia Martinez