BRUSSELS - ANSWER. In an unprecedented political crisis, the Romania after the country’s constitutional court ruled on the outcome of the first round of presidential elections held two weeks ago in which the far-right, pro-Russia Kalin Gheorgescubased on evidence of Russian “interference” in the election process.
The decision, made two days before the second round of the presidential election, was based on the many requests filed to annul the result. The claims increased after Romania’s secret services declassified documents last Wednesday that showed Russian “influence” during the election campaign using social media in favor of Gheorgescu.
“The electoral process to elect the president of Romania will be completely redone,” the court said, asking the government to set a new date for the elections. On Thursday, tho, the judges indicated that they would not discuss new evidence of possible foreign “intervention” until the second round, and on December 2 they confirmed the result after a recount of votes. However, with yesterday’s decision, an unprecedented political crisis is entering the country with unpredictable consequences, as according to some cases there could be new elections in the spring of 2025, if the election process from the beginning with the collection of signatures for each candidate.
Moreover, the reactions of the political parties were also mixed, because only the social democratic prime minister and the presidential candidate – during the first round – called Marcel Tsiolakou the decision of the court “the only right one” , and the liberal candidate Elena Lasconi, who was. Giorgescu’s opponent in the second round spoke about a “blow” to democracy, with the leader of the far right AUR party, George Simeon who called it a “coup”.
However, the dominance of Giorgescu – during the first round of the elections – who was running as an autonomous, even citing “zero” funding, caused great concern in brussels, as his campaign was launched mainly through TikTok, in Brussels . After all, the President represents Romania at both the European Council and NATO summits, and Gheorgescu criticized the North Atlantic alliance, praising Russian President Putin in the past.
His popularity skyrocketed just weeks before the election, and declassified documents revealed a network of inactive accounts, which were activated in his favor just fifteen days before the election process. According to the intelligence services, the network was activated through the coordination of a “state agent” and the use of the Telegram platform. The documents also showed funding of 1 million.euros from a private person in favor of Georgeskus, who paid as much as 950 euros for each republishing of a post through TikTok.
The situation worried the Commission from the beginning, and after receiving the declassified documents from Romania, the Chinese company TikTok asked on Thursday to immediately provide information regarding the role of the platform in the presidential elections, and yesterday vice- executive president of the Commission responsible for digital. politics Hena Virkunen sent a 24-hour ultimatum to get the relevant answer. ”We are concerned about growing evidence of a coordinated online external influence operation targeting the ongoing Romanian elections, notably through TikTok,” Virkunen said in a statement.
How can countries strengthen their electoral processes to prevent foreign influence and maintain voter trust?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Election Expert
time.news Editor: Good afternoon and thank you for joining us today. We are facing some remarkable political developments in Romania following the recent presidential elections. Can you give us your insights on the recent constitutional court ruling regarding Kalin Gheorgescu’s candidacy?
election Expert: Good afternoon! Yes, the situation in Romania is indeed unprecedented. The constitutional court’s decision to rule on the first round of elections, particularly citing Russian interference, raises important concerns not just for Romania, but for democratic processes across Europe.
Time.news Editor: Exactly! This recent ruling allows us to delve deeper into the implications of foreign influence on elections. Can you elaborate on how such interference manifests and what it means for democratic integrity?
Election Expert: Certainly. Foreign interference can take many forms,such as funding campaigns,spreading misinformation,or even cyber-attacks aimed at destabilizing the political landscape. In Romania’s case,evidence that links Kalin Gheorgescu to pro-Russian sentiment signals a troubling relationship between national politics and external influence,which can undermine voter trust and skew electoral outcomes.
Time.news Editor: There’s a palpable sense of urgency considering the second round is just around the corner. How might this ruling affect voter sentiment and turnout in the upcoming election?
Election expert: It could have a dual effect. On one hand, some voters may feel disillusioned and become less likely to participate if they feel their votes are being manipulated by foreign powers. It may also galvanize voters who are opposed to Gheorgescu and his ties to Russia, potentially increasing turnout among those who prioritize national sovereignty. This is a critical time for Romanian democracy.
Time.news Editor: Interesting! Do you think other countries in Europe will be watching this situation closely, and how might it influence their own political landscapes?
Election Expert: Absolutely. Europe is still reeling from various incidents of foreign interference, including Brexit and the french elections.Romania’s situation serves as a warning bell. Countries facing similar threats may feel compelled to ramp up their electoral security measures and engage in public discourse about defending democratic values.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of discourse, what recommendations would you have for the romanian government and its people to counteract this interference and bolster electoral integrity?
Election Expert: To strengthen their electoral process, the Romanian government should prioritize enhancing cybersecurity for elections, ensure transparency in campaign funding, and actively educate voters about misinformation. Creating a coalition of civil society, independent media, and governmental bodies can definitely help restore trust and promote a more engaged electorate.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for your thoughtful insights! Before we wrap up, what should our readers keep an eye on as the situation develops in Romania and beyond?
Election Expert: I would encourage readers to stay informed about the various proposals for electoral reforms that may arise in response to this crisis. Additionally, keep an eye on public sentiment as it reveals the broader implications for how European nations navigate their democratic processes in the face of potential external threats.
Time.news Editor: Thank you so much for your time today! It’s evident that Romania’s situation is more than a national crisis; it’s a reflection of a larger battle for democracy in Europe. We appreciate your expertise and look forward to more developments in this unfolding story.
Election Expert: Thank you for having me—it’s been a pleasure!