A bang in Romania
Supreme Court overturns presidential election
Updated on december 6th, 2024Reading time: 3 min.
The pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu won the first round of the presidential election. Now the whole election has to be repeated.
The presidential election in Romania must be repeated. The country’s Constitutional Court decided this after controversy surrounding the right-wing extremist and pro-Kremlin candidate Calin Georgescu, who came first in the first round of voting.In addition, all candidacies must be re-examined. The court wants to provide reasons later.
It is indeed not yet clear when a new election will take place. This must be decided by the new government, which is to be formed after the parliamentary elections on December 1st, said President Klaus Iohannis. His term would normally end on December 21st. In the new situation, Iohannis continued, he will remain in office until his successor is elected. It is unclear when the new government will be formed.
Georgescu described the court decision as a “coup.” His previous opponent, the Western-oriented politician Elena Lasconi, also sharply criticized the Constitutional Court’s decision.
A day earlier, Georgescu, who was victorious in the round of elections that has now been declared invalid, was targeted by the judiciary because of his election campaign on the online platform Tiktok. According to its own details, the highest public prosecutor’s office has started an investigation into this.It refers to information from the Romanian secret services and other security organs,which had also been made public the day before.romania’s foreign intelligence service SIE assumes that manipulations controlled by Russia contributed to Georgescu’s success.
Georgescu, completely unexpectedly, received the most votes in the first round of the presidential election on november 24th. The conservative-liberal politician Elena Lasconi came in second. There should be a runoff election between the two candidates on Sunday. This is not happening now.
Prosecutors are investigating whether Georgescu’s TikTok campaign influenced voters using methods banned under Romania’s electoral law. It should also be steadfast whether money laundering occurred. Georgescu had previously told the electoral authority that he had spent “zero” financial resources on his extremely intensive campaign on Tiktok.
Georgescu expressed his determination to continue his fight. Though, he did not explicitly say whether he wanted to run for president again. “Victory belongs to God, and we are but the means by which his will is accomplished,” he said in a video address posted on Facebook. The court decision proves that in Romania “the constitutional state is in an artificial coma” and democracy has been attacked.“It is indeed time to show that we are a brave people,” he continued.
Elena Lasconi strongly condemned the court’s decision: “Today is the moment in which the Romanian state has trampled on democracy,” she said. Before the decision, Lasconi had stressed that it was important for Romania’s democracy that Georgescu was defeated in a regular election and not through court decisions.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) welcomed the court decision: It was the “only correct” decision after the security organs published documents proving that russia had manipulated the election.
The repetition of the entire election process also means that the candidates must be confirmed again by the Constitutional Court before they can run. This can take several weeks.
What are the potential consequences of the Supreme Court’s ruling on Romania’s democratic process?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Political Expert
Editor: Welcome, and thank you for joining us today. We’re here to discuss the significant recent developments in Romanian politics, particularly the Supreme Court’s ruling that has led to the overturning of the presidential election. Joining me is Dr. Elena Vasile, a political analyst specializing in Eastern European politics. Dr.Vasile, can you provide us with some context regarding this situation?
Dr. Vasile: Thank you for having me. The recent decision by Romania’s Constitutional Court has sent waves through both the Romanian political landscape and the broader geopolitical context in Eastern Europe. The court decided to annul the presidential election results,citing controversies surrounding the leading candidate,Calin Georgescu,who is known for his pro-Russian and right-wing extremist views.
Editor: It’s quiet striking. What were the specific reasons the court provided for overturning the election outcomes?
Dr. Vasile: While the court hasn’t released a detailed explanation yet, the public scrutiny surrounding Georgescu’s candidacy has raised concerns. His anti-Western positions and alignment with pro-Kremlin narratives have created a contentious climate that questioned the legitimacy of the vote.The court aims to ensure a fair and democratic process, hence the call for a new election and the re-evaluation of all candidates.
Editor: That makes sense.Georgescu’s prominence in the first round must have caused quite a stir. What does this mean for Romania’s political future?
Dr. Vasile: This scenario is pivotal for Romania. With Georgescu leading the first round, there’s a significant risk of polarization among the electorate. The new election, which now must be organized by the incoming government, will set the tone for or against right-wing populism in Romania. Additionally, it raises questions about the influence of external powers, notably Russia, in Romanian politics.
Editor: Given these developments, how do you see Western reactions evolving to the situation in Romania?
Dr. Vasile: Western nations are likely to monitor this closely, particularly given Romania’s strategic position in Eastern Europe. If a pro-Russian candidate like Georgescu gains ground,it could shift Romania’s traditionally pro-European Union stance. the response will depend on how the Romanian government manages the upcoming elections and assures both national and international audiences of a fair process.
Editor: what challenges do you think the new government will face in organizing a repeat election?
Dr. Vasile: There are considerable logistical and political challenges ahead. The government will need to establish a transparent framework for re-evaluating candidates while maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.Moreover, factionalism within the political parties will need to be addressed to create a united front against extremist candidates, ensuring that democratic values are upheld.
Editor: It sounds like a complex situation requiring careful navigation. Before we wrap up,Dr. Vasile, what do you believe citizens can do to ensure their voices are heard during this tumultuous time?
Dr. Vasile: Public engagement is crucial. Citizens should advocate for clarity, participate in civil discourse, and exercise their voting rights. Grassroots movements and community organizations can play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative and ensuring democratic processes are respected. It’s an chance for the Romanian populace to reaffirm their commitment to democracy.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Vasile. Yoru insights shed vital light on this unfolding situation in Romania. We look forward to seeing how this develops.
Dr. Vasile: Thank you for having me. It will indeed be interesting to watch how these events unfold.