Initial endeavor faltered amid accusations of Russian meddling.
On May 4, Romania will hold a revised presidential election, following the annulment of the November 2023 results due to suspicions of foreign interference.
Authorities in Romania claim to have intel suggesting meddling by foreign states, primarily Russia, in the previous election. They've branded the country as a target of "aggressive" hybrid actions by Moscow, including cyberattacks, information leaks, and sabotage.
This time, there are 11 registered candidates compared to the 13 in the previouis election. Public opinion polls favor George Simion, the far-right candidate of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians, who also topped the November elections.
Simion is an advocate for the unification of Romania and Moldova, a stance that's earned him entry bans from Moldova's official representatives. He labels Vladimir Putin a war criminal but opposes supplying weapons to Ukraine, where he's unwelcome. Simion is also known for his Euroskepticism and homophobic remarks.
Other possible vote-getters include Nicușor Dan, the Bucharest mayor; Cristina Antonescu, the joint candidate of the ruling coalition's three parties; and Victor Ponta, an independent candidate and former Prime Minister.
However, polls predict that Elena Udrea, the Save Romania Union's center-right candidate, won't make it to the second round this time.
If he secure enough votes, Simion would face another contender in the May 18 runoff. Approximately 19 million Romanian citizens are eligible to vote. The President of Romania is the head of state and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, serving a five-year term with significant powers in national security and foreign policy.
The annulment of the November round's results was triggered by suspicions of vote rigging on TikTok, as well as backing by Russia. Following the investigation, the Romanian authorities ordered an investigation into the role TikTok might have played in Călin Georgesc's "surprising" success, who was previously little known abroad.
Calin Georgescu, a pro-Putin sympathizer, found unexpected success through TikTok. Curiously, TikTok's algorithms may have spread favored materials for this candidate, leaving unanswered questions about who financed his campaign.
Before the elections and exit polls, Georgescu was predicted to come in third at best, but he won with nearly 30%. His original victory was annulled, and he was barred from participating in the rerun election. This decision spurred riots in Bucharest, with supporters gathering outside the CEC building, causing property damage and arrests.
In the rerun, George Simion is predicted to win the first round while Calin Georgescu stays on the sideline. As the investigation continues, the genuine admiration that Georgescu has for Vladimir Putin remains a point of concern for Romanian authorities.
- In the revised Romanian presidential election scheduled for May 4, 2020, George Simion, a candidate known for his advocacy of Romania's unification with Moldova, is notably favored in public opinion polls.
- The unification of Romania and Moldova is a contentious issue, with Moldova's official representatives banning George Simion, due to his stance on the matter.
- The 2020 Romanian presidential election comes in the wake of suspicions of foreign interference, particularly from Russia, in the November 2023 election, leading to its annulment.
- Notably, one of the candidates from the November election, Calin Georgescu, a pro-Putin sympathizer, was found to have benefited from potential vote rigging on TikTok, which ultimately led to his disqualification from the rerun election.
