Russia Denies Interference in Romanian Elections
In a statement released on December 5, 2024, the Russian foreign ministry firmly rejected allegations of interference in Romania's presidential elections. This denial comes just days before the second round of voting, where far-right candidate Calin Georgescu is poised to compete. Maria Zakharova, the ministry's spokeswoman, described the accusations as "completely unfounded" and criticized what she termed an "unprecedented anti-Russian hysteria" in Romania.
Romanian authorities have declassified documents suggesting that external interference, potentially linked to state-sponsored actors, has been detected in the electoral process. These documents indicate a series of cyberattacks and a coordinated campaign on social media, particularly through TikTok, which has been implicated in spreading pro-Georgescu content. The Romanian internal intelligence service noted that these tactics are typical of state-sponsored interference, raising alarms about the integrity of the electoral process.
The Rise of Calin Georgescu
Calin Georgescu, who unexpectedly topped the first round of the election with 23% of the vote, has a history of expressing admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, he has since distanced himself from direct comments about the Kremlin, focusing instead on promoting a partnership with the United States and advocating for peace over military aid to Ukraine. His campaign has drawn scrutiny, with Romanian intelligence suggesting that his rise is linked to a "highly organized guerrilla campaign" on social media, utilizing influencers to disseminate identical messages.
Georgescu has claimed that the release of intelligence documents is a deliberate attempt to undermine his candidacy, stating, "I think this is the first time in history that a state has acted against a presidential candidate to prevent him from running." Despite these claims, Romanian intelligence reported significant cyber threats, including around 85,000 hacking attempts targeting the electoral commission's servers, which they attribute to advanced state-sponsored tactics.
International Response and Implications
The European Union has responded to the allegations by urging TikTok to comply with the EU's Digital Services Act, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in social media operations during elections. The situation in Romania is being closely monitored, as the outcome of the election could have significant implications for the country's alignment with NATO and the EU, especially given its strategic position bordering Ukraine amidst ongoing Russian aggression. The United States has also warned Romania about the potential consequences of distancing itself from Western alliances, highlighting the importance of maintaining strong ties with NATO, where Romania plays a crucial role by hosting military personnel and defense systems.
