Romania presidential elections: why is there another vote this year?

Romania has emerged as a geopolitical important country in the conflict between Europe and Russia.

It’s presidential elections are of utmost importance for the military and strategic options of Europe. Therefore, the Romanian leadership is an important factor in the Ukrainian conflict.

Earlier last year, the presidential elections of Romania resulted in the succesful designation of a candidate who campaigned with anti-Ukrainian policies, also with anti-EU and anti-NATO declarations, all directed in respect to a non-participation in the war efforts in Ukraine.

The Romanian presidential elections with the successful candidate Georgescu were annulled after the Romanian secret services alleged that the election was heavily influenced by Russia. Russia used many technical means to influence the Romanian elections such as Tik-Tok accounts e.a. Georgescu was placed under investigation thereafter and was in the following accused of some other crimes, such as illegal financing of his campaign etc. and he was finally barred from re-running in the elections.

The Guardian comments “The vote matters abroad because the EU does not want another disruptive, sovereignist figure in the region alongside Hungary and Slovakia, and Ukraine’s western allies would prefer Romania, which hosts a big Nato military base, to remain a strategic ally.”

All means will be used to avoid any anti-EU etc. candidate at the next elections re-run in May.