In a surprising turn of events, Romania's far-right presidential candidate faced a setback as the Constitutional Court annulled the first round of the election due to alleged Russian interference. The court cited illegal use of digital technologies and undeclared funding, leading to the cancellation of the election where the candidate emerged as the frontrunner.
The candidate, who declared zero campaign spending, was set to face a reformist opponent in the runoff. Thirteen candidates participated in the initial round, which was marred by controversies, including a recount ordered by the court.
Romanian President emphasized the importance of upholding democratic values and respecting the Constitution in turbulent times. The court's decision was met with criticism from various political figures, with some labeling it as an attack on democracy.
Allegations of voter corruption, money laundering, and cyber fraud surfaced, leading to raids at properties linked to a suspect accused of illegally financing a campaign to promote the far-right candidate. The secret services revealed an aggressive promotion campaign on social media platforms to boost the candidate's popularity.
The candidate's unexpected success in the polls raised questions about the authenticity of his online following, with suspicions of artificial inflation. Despite the controversy, there is no direct link between the suspect and alleged Russian interference, which Russia denies.
The annulment of the election has sparked outrage and calls for upholding democratic principles. The future of the presidential race remains uncertain as new dates will be set to rerun the election from scratch, leaving Romania in a state of political uncertainty.
