Romanian prosecutors have opened a criminal case against ultranationalist politician Calin Georgescu, whose electoral victory was annulled by the Constitutional Court. This action is linked to allegations of incitement and follows claims of potential Russian interference in the election. Georgescu’s rise to prominence was predominantly fueled by non-compliant social media promotion, raising questions about campaign legitimacy.
Prosecutors in Romania have initiated a criminal case against Calin Georgescu, an ultranationalist politician whose victory in the initial round of a presidential election was annulled by the Constitutional Court. This announcement, made public on Wednesday, is tied to accusations of incitement against Mr. Georgescu, a vocal opponent of NATO and the European Union, following his surprising electoral success in November.
The Constitutional Court’s decision to overturn the election came just days prior to a runoff vote, stirring considerable attention as Mr. Georgescu was predicted to be a strong contender. The court’s intervention was a measure taken to affirm the legality of the electoral process, reflecting concerns raised by Romania’s security service about potential Russian interference in the election campaign, although concrete evidence was not presented.
Mr. Georgescu’s unexpected rise in popularity was facilitated by an extensive social media campaign, particularly through platforms such as TikTok, despite his initial obscurity. Notably, the promotional videos that surged his campaign did not comply with Romanian electoral regulations, being unmarked as campaign material, which raised questions about the sudden visibility and reach of his messaging during the election season.
In summary, the initiation of criminal proceedings against Calin Georgescu highlights the complexities surrounding his controversial electoral campaign and the concerns regarding electoral integrity in Romania. The case reflects broader issues of free speech and political influence in European democracies, particularly in the context of external interference and the role of social media in modern politics.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
