Political shock in Romania: the presidential elections were declared invalid. For many, however, this decision looks like a partisan intervention. It deepens the deep political crisis in Romania. Analysis by Keno Ferzek.
Political shock in Romania: less than two weeks ago, Calin Georgescu, an almost unknown TikTok candidate with far-right, pro-Russian and esoteric views, won the first round of the presidential election in a complete surprise. The second round was to be held on December 8. But less than 36 hours earlier, the Romanian Constitutional Court declared the first round invalid. This means that the entire presidential election must be reorganized. The decision represents a new high point in the political crisis of the last weeks in the country - with still unpredictable consequences.
The Constitutional Court made this decision after declaring the first round of the presidential elections valid at the beginning of the week. The reason for the current reversal: new data on the influence of the TikTok platform on the election, on the financing of Georgescu's election campaign and on Russian interference in the election. On Wednesday, Romania's current president, Klaus Iohannis, approved the declassification of secret service documents pointing to just that -- though not too specifically. For example, the documents only indirectly claim Russian influence on the elections, and Russia is not mentioned by name. However, on Thursday US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken indicated that there was Russian interference in the Romanian presidential election.
In Romania, the decision of the Constitutional Court caused mixed reactions among politicians and the public. Elena Lasconi, the candidate of the progressive-liberal party "Union for the Salvation of Romania" and its leader, spoke of an "illegal and immoral decision" of the Constitutional Court. According to her, the Romanian state trampled on democracy like this.
"Pact with the people and with God"
Incumbent Prime Minister and leader of the Social Democrats, Marcel Cholaku, who was long a favorite to win the first round of the election, called the decision "the only right thing after the publication of the secret service documents". His argument: after all, it was proven that the result of the Romanian election was blatantly rigged by Russian interference.
Far-right presidential candidate Calin Georgescu described the decision of the Constitutional Court as a "coup d'etat" and commented on it in his usual messianic style: "The corrupt system showed its true face and made a deal with the devil. But I have made a contract with the Romanian people and with God". Other far-right Romanian politicians also unanimously speak of a "coup" taking place in Romania. George Simion, leader of the far-right party "Alliance for the Unification of Romanians" however, he called on his supporters to keep calm and "not go out into the streets".
No signs of disturbance
Commenting on the Constitutional Court decision last night, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis seemed to struggle to find the right words. In a short speech, he stated in a dry and bureaucratic tone that Romania was "stable, secure and democratic" and that he is "not in trouble". Iohannis announced that he would remain president in accordance with the constitution until his successor was sworn in and promised: "I will continue to fulfill my role as president in the same way as before." In recent years, however, Iohannis has been criticized for his passivity.
Fears that there could be riots did not materialize on Friday. In general, violent clashes are rather unlikely. The terrible experiences of the bloody uprising against the dictator Ceausescu in December 1989 and the upheavals of the following months, especially the violent marches of the miners from the Shil river valley to Bucharest, still have a traumatic effect on many people. The majority of society would like to avoid such scenarios at all costs. On Friday, the Romanian gendarmerie, which is responsible for public security and order along with the police, denied it had been put on high alert.
Justice is discredited in the eyes of many
But the looming power vacuum in the coming months poses a real danger. New presidential elections are expected to take place only in March. Incumbent Klaus Iohannis is not a strong player, and forming a government after last Sunday's parliamentary elections (December 1, 2024) could also take months. This threatens to paralyze the country politically for a longer period of time.
The decision of the Constitutional Court may also deepen the deep-seated crisis of confidence of Romanian society in the state and democratic institutions. After all, Friday's decision is only the last of several, with which, in the eyes of many Romanians, the court is discredited, and the judicial system as a whole.
At the beginning of October 2024, the Constitutional Court excluded far-right presidential candidate Diana Sosoaka from the elections, as her political statements were "incompatible with the values of democracy" and threatened Romania's membership in the EU and NATO. At the same time, however, Calin Georgescu and the leader of the "Alliance for the Unification of Romanians" George Simion, who also campaigned against the EU and NATO and praised the anti-Semitic fascist legionnaires of Romania's interwar period, were not excluded from the election.
"The Land of Unlimited Possibilities"
Political rumors in Romania say that the ruling Social Democrats, who have dominated the state and administration for 35 years, have drawn up an election scenario in which the Prime Minister and their leader, Marcel Colacu, and the leader of the nationalist "Alliance for the Unification of Romanians" ; Simion must reach a runoff in which he defeats Cholaku. Many Romanians are now convinced that the Constitutional Court has once again acted as an extension of the political establishment after the first round of the presidential election was dominated by two other players – Georgescu and Lasconi. According to them, it is Lasconi who is a threat to the old systemic parties, as she and her party have serious intentions to fight corruption and other reform plans.
Prominent Romanian lawyer and former magistrate Christi Danilet, who has been actively involved in democratic civil society for many years, commented sarcastically on the decision of the Constitutional Court on Facebook: "The court made a fundamental decision that can be used to correct all mistakes . Romania has become the country of unlimited opportunities".