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Romania orders election recount after shock far-right win

Published November 28, 2024last updated November 28, 2024

The recount was ordered by Romania's Constitutional Court. Far-right populist Calin Georgescu won the first round of the presidential election and was set to go against centrist Elena Lasconi in a December runoff.

https://p.dw.com/p/4nXEc
Romanians protest on November 27 after far-right candidate Calin Georgescu won the first round of presidential elections
The Romanian election results sparked protests in Bucharest Image: DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP/Getty Images

Romania's top court on Thursday mandated a recount of votes in the first round of the country's presidential election, where a far-right candidate scored a surprise victory. 

The Romanian Constitutional Court (CCR) "unanimously ordered the reverification and recounting of the voting ballots for the November 24 presidential election," it said in a statement. 

At the same time, the court shot down an application to annul the first round of voting, saying it had been filed after the permitted deadline.  

Far-right, pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu speaks with journalilsts on November 26, 2024
Georgescu courted traditional voters, particularly in Romania's rural areas, and has emphasized his Christian beliefsImage: Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images

What happened in Romania's election?

Calin Georgescu, earlier a little-known independent candidate, won the first round of the election with 22.9% of the vote, and is expected to face off against centrist Elena Lasconi in a runoff on December 8. Lasconi garnered a little over 19% of the vote. 

Georgescu, who was polling at just below 5% support before the election last Sunday, is critical of Romania's membership in NATO and has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin.   

Lasconi, meanwhile, is a strong supporter of Ukraine and backer of Romania's NATO membership. 

Elena Lasconi, who will compete in the Romanian runoff on December 8
Lasconi, the leader of the Save Romania Union party, has told Romanians they are in an 'existential fight' for their democracyImage: Pond5 Images/IMAGO

Georgescu, after the recount announcement, claimed that state institutions were trying to deny the people's choice after the first round of the election. 

Lasconi, a former journalist, also criticized the constitutional court's decision for a recount. 

"What the CCR is trying to do now is absolutely horrific for a democratic country," she said. "I am here to defend democracy and call on the Central Election Bureau to handle the vote recount wisely. The law must be the same for all, not interpreted differently for some."

Romania presidency criticizes TikTok, warns of cyberattacks

The decision for a recount comes as the country's presidency said top officials reported "cyberattacks aimed at influencing the correction of the electoral process" in Sunday's vote. The presidency also said that Russia has a "growing interest" in influencing Romanian society. 

The presidency claimed that social media app TikTok gave "preferential treatment" to Georgescu, who won the first round. The far-right candidate heavily used TikTok throughout his campaign, where he showcased love for judo and spread his populist message to potential voters. 

Romania's National Audiovisual Council earlier urged the European Commission to probe TikTok's influence on the November 24 election.   

TikTok has denied that it boosted Georgescu's candidacy. 

"It is categorically false to claim that his account was treated differently from those of the other candidates," a TikTok spokesperson told AFP news agency, referring to Georgescu. 

wd/nm (Reuters, AP, AFP, dpa)