Romanian Top Court Annuls Presidential Election Result

Romania’s top court annulled the result of the first round of the country’s presidential election after accusations of Russian meddling and said on Friday the entire process, which was due to conclude this weekend, would have to be re-run.

The second round had been scheduled for Sunday, and voting has already begun in polling stations abroad. It would have pitted Calin Georgescu, a far-right, pro-Russian candidate, against pro-European Union centrist leader Elena Lasconi.

Having polled in single digits before the first presidential election round on Nov. 24, Georgescu – who wants to end Romanian support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion – surged to a first-place finish that raised questions over how such a surprise had been possible.

A Georgescu win would have upended the EU and NATO member state’s pro-Western politics, pushing it closer to a belt of states in central and eastern Europe with powerful populist, Russia-friendly politicians, including Hungary, Slovakia and Austria.

However, Friday’s ruling plunged the country into institutional ‘chaos’ as current President Klaus Iohannis’s term ends on Dec. 21, and it was unclear who would be head of state after this date.

Analysts said the ruling may erode institutions, trigger street protests, and ultimately still endanger the nation’s pro-Western course.

Reuters/ Shakirat Sadiq