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Romania: Simion calls for annulment of vote, “French interference in presidential election”

Far-right leader challenges the outcome of the runoff. At the center of the accusation, external interference by French services. Constitutional Court called again to decide

George Simion, candidate of Romania’s far-right, announced today–Tuesday, May 20–that he has filed a formal appeal with the Constitutional Court seeking the annulment of the second round of the presidential election. In the runoff, held last Sunday, he had been defeated by Bucharest’s mayor, Nicusor Dan, a pro-European center figure.

Accusations of “outside interference” and controversial precedent

Simion denounced “interference by France” in the electoral process, which he said was crucial to the outcome of the vote. In support of his claim, he recalled the same reasons that led to the annulment of the first round held last November. On that occasion, the Constitutional Court invalidated the vote after the populist Georgescu, winner of the first round, was accused of failing to declare the funding used to promote himself on social media, especially on TikTok.

Telegram and Durov’s accusations against France

Reinforcing the suspicion of interference, Simion cites the complaint of Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who said on the day of the runoff that French foreign intelligence services (DGSE) allegedly asked him to remove content favoring the far-right candidate. However, the DGSE categorically denied any involvement.

A democratic crisis still open

Simion’s request risks reopening an institutional dispute already addressed in recent months. Now the ball is once again in the Constitutional Court’s court, which will have to consider whether there are grounds for a new annulment of the vote.

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