By Daniela Belinschi
With only two days left until the presidential runoff, Romania’s top court ruled the election void, citing breaches of the electoral code and sparking nationwide controversy. The second round was set to feature centre-right candidate Elena Lasconi against independent candidate Călin Georgescu, who has become known for his strong far-right rhetoric. Following Georgescu’s success in the first round, the central questions now are whether Romania will capitulate to the rising tide of far-right forces sweeping across Europe and why such a strongly pro-European state is seemingly doubling back.
A Sudden Glory Achieved in No Time
In an outcome that defied all pre-election forecasts, Georgescu secured a surprise victory in the first round of the election with approximately 24% of the vote. What is more, none of the major polls published before the silence period included him among the (at least) top seven contenders with a real chance of winning. Even on election night, exit polls failed to predict his advancement to the second round, let alone his triumph in the first round.
What makes this result even more striking is the absence of a visible campaign. Georgescu did not engage in traditional electoral strategies, and in his electoral spending declarations, he declared zero expenditures. This has raised pressing concerns regarding the legitimacy and transparency of his funding sources, especially given that just a week before the election, he was widely considered a marginal political figure.
The unexpected victory has prompted scrutiny and debate over the mechanisms behind Georgescu’s rise, calling into question the integrity of electoral processes and the unseen dynamics shaping modern political contests. Alternatively, it is also a question of the integrity of the independent.
Politically and Ideologically - Who is Calin Georgescu?
Often described as a "far-right politician, agronomist, and conspiracy theorist," Călin Georgescu has also gained attention as "the far-right TikTok star." His views are described as “pro-Russian, anti-NATO, ultra-nationalistic, populist, and extremist”. Unfortunately, this description very much matches his political discourse. For instance, he exposed his opinion on Romania’s 1989 revolution, which ended the Communist era, describing it as a “Western-orchestrated coup d’etat aimed at exploiting the country’s resources”. His highly radical opinions also caught the attention of legal authorities. In 2022, he faced legal scrutiny after publicly praising Corneliu Zelea Codreanu, the founder of the antisemitic Iron Guard (1927), referring to him as a national hero.
Further fuelling controversy, Georgescu has also expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him “a man who loves his country” and affirmed that Romania’s bright future lies in “Russian wisdom”. Viktor Orbán can also boast of Georgescu's admiration. The latter expressed his appreciation for Orban’s international negotiation skills.
Putin’s marionette or just a politician with dubious beliefs - Georgescu is now a major cause for concern not only for Romania’s future but also for regional security due to Romania’s geopolitically strategic positioning.
No Expenses, Massive Exposure
Just after the second round of elections, Romania's Presidential Administration has declassified intelligence reports from the SRI, Foreign Ministry, and STS, revealing concerns over cyber attacks targeting the electoral process. A report presented to the Supreme Council of National Defence noted that a presidential candidate received massive exposure on TikTok, allegedly benefiting from preferential treatment as the platform failed to label him as a political figure.
Romanian experts estimate that Călin Georgescu's campaign was backed by over €50 million, with spending exceeding three million euros per day at times. This is while Georgescu officially declared zero expenses for his presidential bid.
Moreover, a report from Romania’s external intelligence service (SIE) warns that the country remains a target of Russian hybrid operations, including cyber attacks, information leaks, and acts of sabotage. These movements represent an indicator of hybrid welfare, which, as it seems, can (almost) make you a president overnight.
The Shadow War for Romania’s Future
This rise, although unexpected, was the result of a carefully orchestrated manipulation of public sentiment through online propaganda, foreign influence through illicit financing, and social unrest. Disinformation campaigns flooded online spaces, spreading conspiracy theories about Western exploitation, NATO control, and the so-called “betrayal” of Romania’s sovereignty.
On top of that, Romania’s corruption rates could also be seen as a reason why the population is seeking an alternative in the face of Georgescu. The equation therefore proved very simple: a thoroughly planned manipulation campaign, a speciality of the Kremlin, with emphasis on Romanian traditional values, and a platform that tolerates and advances it, makes winning a presidential race easier than ever.
What Romanian pro-European forces ought to do now is to conduct a unified, persuasive, and transparent campaign. They will have to leave all the divergences and egos aside and convince the Romanian electorate that they deserve their trust. Furthermore, with the current security threats in the region, a politically unstable NATO border state does not seem a desirable reality, nor is it internally cohesive. The example of the euro-skeptic Hungarian government should once more serve as a reaffirmation of the deceleration impact Georgescu might have on Romania.
Sources: Politico, Romania Insider, Statista, The Guardian
Written by Daniela Belinschi
Edited by Roos Hoogesteger & Karla Kohlhaas
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