The far-right candidate, who won the first round of the presidential election i Romaniato cancel all estimates, he denied that he wants the NATO and her European Unionreversing some of his positions amid protests against his victory.
The 62-year-old right-wing independent politician Kalin Gheorgescuwas in single digits before Sunday’s first round of voting, an upset victory that raised questions about how he pulled it off.
He will face centrist candidate Elena Lasconi in the second round, scheduled for December 8.
Gheorgescu won the largest number of votes, drawing from the number of young and foreign voters. His campaign was largely accelerated by the TikTok.
Demonstrations on the streets of Bucharest
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Bucharest yesterday, Tuesday night, chanting: “No Putin, no fear, Europe is our mother” and “Young people are asking you not to vote for a dictator.” Demonstrations were also held in other major cities of the country.
Gheorgescu praised them in his earlier remarks Romanian fascist politicians in the 1930s As national heroes and martyrs, he is critical of NATO membership and support for Ukraine and said that Romania should fight and not challenge Russia.
However, in a Facebook post on Tuesday afternoon, he stressed: “I don’t want to leave NATO, I don’t want to leave the European Union. We have to do everything for our national interest».
“Suspicion of manipulation”
Romania’s National Audiovisual Council yesterday asked the European Commission to investigate TikTok’s role in the election, due to what it said was ”suspicion of manipulation of public opinion”.
Deputy President of the Council Valentine-Alexandrou Dzukan he said he believed the platform’s algorithms contributed to content that favored an individual candidate and that there was a lack of transparency about who was sponsoring election content. Neither TikTok nor the European Commission responded to requests for comment.
The influential man and businessman Stefan Madaci, who supported Gheorgescu before the vote, apologized for this on Facebook yesterday, Tuesday, saying that he voted against the established parties without researching Gheorgescu’s position. Gheorgescu said his campaign budget was zero and volunteers did everything.
Analysts and politicians said her surprise victory in pre-election polls pointed to foreign interference in the election. Before the vote, Romania’s intelligence service told lawmakers it had detected no signs of a breach of national security.
With information from Reuters
What factors contributed to Kalin Gheorgescu’s rise in popularity during Romania’s presidential elections?
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome, and thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent developments in Romania’s presidential elections. We’re here with Dr. Mariana Ionescu, a political analyst specializing in Eastern European politics. Dr. Ionescu, it seems that Kalin Gheorgescu’s unexpected victory in the first round of the presidential election has taken many by surprise. Can you explain how he managed to come from a position of single-digit support to leading the race?
Dr. Mariana Ionescu: Thank you for having me. It’s indeed a remarkable turnaround for Gheorgescu. His campaign utilized modern social media platforms like TikTok to engage with primarily younger voters, a demographic that has become increasingly influential. By tapping into the frustrations and aspirations of these voters, he was able to mobilize a significant base of support almost overnight.
Interviewer: That’s interesting. Now, his victory has sparked major protests in cities like Bucharest, with demonstrators chanting slogans against his apparent alignment with authoritarian figures. How do you assess the implications of these protests for Gheorgescu’s administration and Romania’s political landscape?
Dr. Mariana Ionescu: The protests signal a strong resistance to Gheorgescu’s narrative and political stance. People are clearly concerned about the potential erosion of democratic values, especially given his controversial remarks about Romanian fascist politicians from the 1930s. If he continues to alienate these protesters, he may face significant pushback that could undermine his efforts to consolidate power.
Interviewer: In light of the upcoming second round against centrist candidate Elena Lasconi, what strategies should Gheorgescu consider to maintain his lead while addressing the concerns of the protesters?
Dr. Mariana Ionescu: First, he would benefit from shifting his rhetoric to acknowledge and address the concerns raised by the protesters. Bridging the gap between his vision and the public’s fear of authoritarianism is vital. Furthermore, he needs to assure both the electorate and international partners about his commitment to NATO and the European Union, which he has downplayed. Reassuring these groups could also mitigate fears about his potential policies.
Interviewer: You mentioned the importance of the EU and NATO. How important do you think these alliances will be to the voters as they go into the second round?
Dr. Mariana Ionescu: They are crucial. Many Romanians, particularly the youth who largely supported Gheorgescu, see their future intertwined with these alliances. As protests demonstrate a preference for a pro-European stance, any indication that Gheorgescu plans to reverse Romania’s alignment with NATO or the EU could be detrimental to his campaign. His ability to maintain a pro-European message will be key to winning over undecided voters.
Interviewer: Lastly, what do you think the outcome of this election could mean for Romania’s future?
Dr. Mariana Ionescu: The outcome could be pivotal. If Gheorgescu wins and maintains his tough stance while also drawing international scrutiny, we might see a more authoritarian governance approach. Conversely, a win for Lasconi could signal a return to centrist politics and a reaffirmation of democratic values. Either way, this election is reflective of deeper societal divides in Romania regarding nationalism, democracy, and European integration.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Ionescu. This election certainly holds critical implications not just for Romania but for the broader European landscape as well. We appreciate your insights today.
Dr. Mariana Ionescu: My pleasure! Thank you for having me.
