Bucharest (Reuters) – Romania’s top court on Friday (6) annulled the result of the first round of the country’s presidential election, adding that the entire electoral process will have to be repeated.
The second round would be held on Sunday and voting is already underway at polling stations abroad.
After polling in single digits ahead of the first round of the presidential election on November 24, Calin Georgescu — who wants to end Romanian support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion — won a victory that raised questions about how this surprise was possible in a member state of the European Union and NATO.
Continues after advertising
Documents revealed by Romania’s security council on Wednesday showed that the country was targeted during the election period.
“The electoral process to elect the president of Romania will be completely repeated, and the government will set a new date and… a new calendar for the necessary steps,” the court said in a statement.
The second round of the presidential race, which was due to take place on Sunday, would have pitted Georgescu, a far-right, pro-Russian candidate, against centrist pro-EU leader Elena Lasconi.
Continues after advertising
Far-right parties also performed well in last Sunday’s parliamentary elections in Romania, although the ruling Social Democrats emerged as the largest group and hope to form a pro-EU coalition government.
The court did not question the integrity of the parliamentary vote.
