Romania’s election chaos sparks fears of European backsliding

12/11/2024 / By Ramon Tomey

Romania’s presidential election was thrown into chaos after the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) annulled the first round results and canceled the second round due to “significant irregularities,” including voter fraud and ballot rigging.
Populist candidate Calin Georgescu, a political outsider, won the first round but faced criticism for his alleged ties to Russia, which Romanian authorities claimed was attempting to manipulate the election in his favor.
The CCR’s decision to cancel the second round, which would have seen Georgescu face centrist candidate Elena Lasconi, was denounced by Georgescu and opposition leaders as a “coup,” while others argued it was necessary to preserve electoral integrity.
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu supported the annulment, calling for new elections and investigations into those responsible for the alleged interference, while Lasconi expressed concerns about democracy in a letter to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
The controversy reflects broader concerns in Europe and beyond about Russian influence on populist movements, with governments taking measures to counter perceived threats from Moscow.

In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Europe, Romania’s presidential election has been thrown into chaos after the country’s top court annulled the results of the first round and canceled the second round over alleged irregularities.

The controversy began on Friday, Dec. 6, when the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) ruled that the first round of the country’s presidential elections were invalid. It cited “significant irregularities” in the voting process such as voter fraud and ballot rigging.

The CCR’s decision followed the victory of populist candidate Calin Georgescu in the first round of elections on Nov. 24. Georgescu, who supports U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and ending Bucharest’s support of Ukraine, won the first round “despite being a political outsider who declared zero campaign spending.” According to Al Jazeera, the CCR’s decision sought “to ensure the correctness and legality of the electoral process.”

Georgescu was set to face off with the centrist, pro-European Union candidate Elena Lasconi on Sunday, Dec. 8. The CCR’s decision to cancel the second round did not sit well with the populist, who called the Friday court decision a “coup.”

On Sunday morning, Georgescu addressed supporters and journalists at the school where he was supposed to vote. “We shall continue in the democratic manner,” he said. “I ask very clearly for peace, for all the things that we have to recuperate our democracy because democracy was canceled with the court.”

Georgescu found an ally in the person of George Simion, leader of the opposition party Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR). While he likewise slammed the decision as a “coup d’etat,” the AUR leader urged for calm.

“Nine politically appointed judges, scared that a candidate outside the system had all chances to become Romania’s president, decided to annul Romanians’ will,” Simion remarked. (Related: The Western establishment lacks legitimacy.)

When all else fails, blame it on Russia

The CCR’s cancellation of the second round of elections followed Bucharest’s declassifying intelligence information. According to Romanian authorities, Russia was trying to manipulate the outcome of the election by ensuring a victory for Georgescu – who is friendly to Moscow. The CCR even alleged that Georgescu benefits from an influence campaign on social media platforms.

Supporters of the court’s decision argue that the annulment was necessary to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu called the cancellation “the only correct decision” following the release of the intelligence information on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

“The presidential elections must be held again. At the same time, investigations by the authorities must uncover who is responsible for the massive attempt to influence the outcome of the presidential election,” the prime minister wrote on Facebook.

Lasconi surprisingly opposed the CCR’s decision to cancel the second round of elections in a letter dated Saturday, Dec. 7. The letter addressed to Trump said she feared democracy was in danger.

“The past 35 years we have had democracy, but the government and corrupt politicians have failed to deliver for the Romanian people. I fear we have 15 years to go –maybe less – where no one wants to go: Dictatorship,” she waned.

The National Pulse said governments across Europe have consistently pointed their fingers at Moscow for the rise of populists across Europe. In the same vein, Russian interference has also been blamed for the rise of populism in the United States and the United Kingdom for years.

Governments have implemented drastic measures to stomp out the Russian threat. In the Czech Republic, Prague has ordered the shutdown of alternative media outlets in the country ahead of the European Parliament Elections. The CCR’s move to cancel elections in Romania is no different.

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Watch this clip about the presidential elections in Romania that were canceled over fears that Calin Georgescu could win.

This video is from the Radio Blast channel on Brighteon.com.