Former presidential candidate Calin Georgescu goes alongside George Simion, presidential candidate and leader of the Alliance for the Romanian Union (AUR), on 4 May 2025 in Mogosoa, Romania.© Andrei Pungovschi/Getty Images
Romania carries out a rerun of the presidential election on Sunday after the erstwhile vote was annulled due to alleged Russian interference and violations of the election.Moscow denied all accusations of interference.
In the cancelled elections in late November, independent right-wing candidate Calin Georgescu, known for his skeptical attitude to NATO, unexpectedly won in the first circular with 23% of the vote.However, the Constitutional Court later annulled the results, citing ‘irregularities’ election.
Officials of the country claimed that the candidate's run utilized unreported funds and Russia stood behind ‘hybrid’ attacks, including cyberspace.In March, the Central Election Office did not let Georgesc to restart, citing his alleged "anti-democratic" and ‘Extremistic’ attitude and failure to follow electoral procedures.In the current election, 11 candidates apply for the office of President.
Key candidates are George Simion, leader of the far-right Alliance for the Romanian Union (AUR), known for his opposition to the EU and criticism of military support for Ukraine.He leads polls with about 30% support.Other prominent candidates include Crin Antonescu, representing the ruling coalition of Social Democrats and National Liberals, and Nicosor Dan, mayor of Bucharest, who both support pro-European programs.If no candidate gains an absolute majority, on May 18 there will be a second circular between 2 leading candidates.
Before the replay, a Romanian detained RT writer Chay Bowes, who came to Bucharest from Dublin, Ireland to study the elections.
According to the reporter, he was presented with a paper – a copy of which he did not receive – which claimed to constitute ‘risk to national security” and so should be deported.
Bowes, an EU citizen, insisted that he entered Romania "totally legal... to do [its] work".Commenting on the detention, Russian MFA spokesperson Maria Zacharova said that elections in Romania became ‘mem’.
She added that “The situation around the elections in Romania is so outrageous.
It is so hopeless and discredits the level of this pseudo-democracy in Romania".
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/news/616726-romania-presidential-election-rerun/
