“Romania is a safe, solid, pro-European country,” President Klaus Iohannis said on Friday after elections were dramatically canceled over Russian interference
The outgoing president who will now stay on until a new president is elected, as per the Constitution, vowed to keep Romania on its European path even after nationalist parties won about 35% of the vote in parliamentary elections.
The Constitutional Court on Friday annulled elections after Romania’s intelligence services reported Russian interference to help far-right candidate Calin Georgescu, a relative unknown who stunned supporters and opponents alike by winning the first round of presidential elections.
Georgescu called the development “a barbaric act by a oligarchic state against democracy” and vowed to fight on.
Intelligence reports released on Wednesday showed several illegal processes in Georgescu’s campaign financing.
New elections will be held at a date designated by the government.
Romania’s president said he would ” get involved, as before, for Romania, for Romanians. Until the last day, I will be make sure of “ a democratic, free, modern, safe, European Romania.”
“Romania is a stable country, a safe country and a solid country. I say this for the economy, for investors, for the financial markets, I say this for the European Union. Romania is and remains a safe, solid, pro-European country. I say this for NATO. Romania remains a safe, solid ally…. Romania is not in distress” the head of state also said.
Iohannis said that he would remain in office until a new president of Romania is elected, a process that will likely take months.
“The new government of Romania will set new dates for the presidential elections will take place. The new government determines when the presidential elections will take place,” he said.
Massive unprecedented pushback for Putin’s election meddling, from Romania
