The decision taken last Friday was justified by intelligence reports showing that Russia was allegedly running a disinformation campaign on social networks in support of far-right candidate Calin Georgescu.
Romanian politics is experiencing an unprecedented earthquake First round of presidential election canceled by the Constitutional Court. The decision taken last Friday was justified by intelligence reports showing that Russia was allegedly running a disinformation campaign on social networks in support of far-right candidate Calin Georgescu.
62-year-old Georgescu, who emerged as the favorite after his surprise victory in the first round on November 24, harshly criticized the court decision. This Sunday, outside a closed polling station in Mogosoaia on the outskirts of Bucharest, he said: “Today is Constitution Day and There is nothing constitutional in Romania anymore. “By canceling democracy, you cancel our own freedom.”
An unprecedented case
The cancellation of the elections was based on the allegation that digital technologies were used illegallysuch as artificial intelligence and the existence of undisclosed funding sources. Despite The decision does not explicitly mention GeorgescuIn the case, the court ruled that a candidate would receive “preferential treatment” on social networks and that this would change the will of the voters.
Despite declaring campaign expenses to be zero, Georgescu defied all predictions and led the first round, and this Sunday she would face reformist candidate Elena Lasconi from the Save the Romanian Union party. Decision to restart the election process sparked protests and questions Political tensions have continued in recent years in a country that is a member of the European Union and NATO.
Shadow of social networks
Much of Georgescu’s rise is attributed to her popularity on TikTok, where she has amassed more than 565,000 followers and 6.2 million likes. However, experts pointed out that these figures may be artificially inflated. Additionally, Romanian intelligence officials said that the platform He would prefer Georgescu to other candidates.
The case took a different turn this Saturday when prosecutors raided properties linked to businessman Bogdan Peschir, who is suspected of illegally financing the candidate’s digital campaign. According to investigations, Peschir would allocate $381,000 to promoting the content In Georgescu’s favor on TikTok. Although no direct connection with Moscow has been established, Russia has denied its involvement in the events.
Split reactions
In his speech on Constitution Day, President Klaus Iohannis called for the protection of democratic values: “The Constitution serves as a shield against threats to democracy. “Government institutions need to act calmly and respect the law.” But, Right-wing leaders such as George SimionFrom the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, he called the cancellation an attack on democracy: “Today is a day when Romanians should vote freely. He’s making fun of our history and the sacrifices of 35 years ago,” he said, referring to the 1989 revolution.
For your part, Elena Lasconihad to face Georgescu in the second round He condemned the court’s decision as “illegal, immoral and damaging to the core” It is democracy itself.” The crisis leaves Romania at a political crossroads and faces more questions than answers as new dates are set. restarting an election process filled with uncertainty and distrust.
