Romania’s Constitutional Court declared on Friday, December 6, 2024, that the first round of presidential elections had been annulled due to suspicions of Russian interference. The entire electoral process will need to be restarted to ensure the validity and legitimacy of the elections, as stated by the Court.
In response to the political turmoil, the Patriarchate of Romania issued a statement on Saturday, December 7, urging the faithful to remain calm and composed in anticipation of the upcoming presidential elections. The Patriarchate warned against participating in actions that could disrupt social peace and emphasized the importance of prayer and peace for societal prosperity.
The second round of the presidential election was scheduled for the same day, with the far-right, pro-Russian candidate Kalin Georgescu leading in the first round. His opponent, Elena Lasconi, is the center-right mayor of a small town. The Court’s decision to restart the electoral process will require the government to set a new date and timetable for the necessary steps.
Following the strong performance of far-right parties in the recent parliamentary elections, the Social Democrats are expected to face challenges in forming a pro-European coalition government. The Court’s decision did not cast doubt on the integrity of the parliamentary elections.
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Tsolaku supported the Court’s decision, citing declassified documents that confirmed Russian involvement. The results of the first round of the presidential election were expected to be announced on the same day.
Source: ANA-MPA, Basilica.ro