In an unprecedented move, Romania’s Constitutional Court (CCR) has annulled the presidential elections and mandated a complete restart of the electoral process. The decision was announced on 6 December 2024, as the second round of voting between independent candidate Călin Georgescu and USR candidate Elena Lasconi was underway in the diaspora.
Key Context and Rationale
The court’s unanimous ruling followed the declassification of documents from the Supreme Council for National Defence (CSAT), which revealed Russian interference aimed at promoting Georgescu, an outsider with far-right leanings. According to the report, his campaign received over €1 million in funding for TikTok advertisements, and cyber-attacks targeted Romania’s electoral infrastructure. The court cited these revelations as grounds to invalidate the process, stressing the need to uphold democratic integrity.
The government will now determine a new election date, starting the process from candidate registration.
Political Reactions
The decision has drawn polarised reactions from across the political spectrum:
- Ludovic Orban, leader of the opposition Forţa Dreptei party, described the annulment as “a coup,” accusing the CCR of undermining democracy. He argued that this sets a dangerous precedent, enabling future elections to be arbitrarily invalidated.
- Marcel Ciolacu, president of the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD), supported the court’s decision, framing it as necessary to protect electoral integrity. He stressed the importance of thorough investigations to rebuild public trust.
- Elena Lasconi, one of the presidential contenders, condemned the ruling as “illegal and immoral,” accusing the state of “trampling on democracy.”
- Kelemen Hunor, leader of the UDMR, ruled out extending President Klaus Iohannis’s term under emergency provisions, insisting that the constitution allows such measures only in cases of war or national crisis.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă called for calm and unity, urging transparency in addressing electoral concerns.
International and Market Responses
The decision has attracted significant international attention, with publications such as The Guardian and Le Mondereporting on the implications of Russian meddling in Romanian elections. The annulment has also triggered debates over the resilience of democratic institutions in Eastern Europe.
On the economic front, Romania’s stock market reacted positively, with the Bucharest Stock Exchange indices rising by over 3% amid expectations of a more transparent electoral process.
Implications for the Diaspora
The Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) halted voting in the diaspora three hours after the CCR’s announcement. Approximately 53,000 Romanians abroad had already cast their votes, raising questions about the legal handling of ballots already submitted.
Calls for Calm
Public figures, including George Simion of the nationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), appealed to their supporters to remain calm and avoid protests. Simion initially denounced the ruling as a “coup” but later emphasised the need for democratic resolutions.
Next Steps
The annulment mandates that the entire electoral process, from candidate validation to the final vote, be restarted. The government is tasked with setting a new electoral timeline, and investigations into foreign interference are expected to intensify. Former CCR judge Petre Lăzăroiu has highlighted the legal and logistical complexities involved in ensuring a fair rerun.
President Klaus Iohannis is scheduled to address the nation at 19:00, providing clarity on the political roadmap ahead.
Read also:
Russia Allegedly Interfering in Romanian Elections, Including Presidential Candidates
