Many in the West have applauded the annulling of the first round of the presidential election, won by a Moscow-friendly candidate, but even his critics say it raises troubling questions about Romanian democracy.

Romania’s Liberal Party is facing scrutiny after a media investigation linked their presidential campaign to that of a pro-Russian candidate who won a now-canceled first round of the election.

Russia launched cyberattacks “aimed at influencing the fairness of the electoral process” and “the public agenda through the use of artificial intelligence and aggressive online promotion,” according to Mihai Weber,

The Russian government has long been active in election interference and related disinformation campaigns against democracies.

What happened in Romania’s presidential election marks the beginning of the new political era, of hybrid war, political unrest, and disdain, anger and revolt against political elites.

A pro-Russian Europhobe, Călin Georgescu, has surged to poll position in Romania’s presidential election by weaponising social media, with a little help from Moscow.

Romanian institutions could have better protected the elections had they not underestimated the rise of the far right and tolerated radical and nationalist elements in their ranks

In another unprecedented move, Romania’s president declassified intelligence reports that supported the court’s ruling. The documents allege that Georgescu’s victory was facilitated through various illegal means,

What Europe can look forward to if Putin wins in Ukraine.

A month ago Mr Georgescu was seen as a crankish no-hoper, drawing about 5% in polls. But in the first round of the election on November 24th he came first with 23%. Just before the second-round run-off against Elena Lasconi, a lacklustre centre-right candidate, one poll had him leading with 58%. This was a political earthquake.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Monday said he has tasked incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu with forming a new government, as Bucharest reels from a deep political crisis. Ciolacu - who has been prime minister since 2023 - is to lead a pro-European coalition of his Social Democrats (PSD),

And yet, when the town’s residents cast their ballots in last month’s presidential election, they overwhelmingly voted for Călin Georgescu, the candidate who showed every sign of being the preferred choice of Russian President Vladimir Putin.