Simion seeks annulment of Romania’s election over fraud allegations

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
21 May 2025 13:28

George Simion seeks to annul Romania’s presidential vote, alleging foreign interference and fraud after losing to pro-Europe Nicusor Dan in the runoff election.

Listen

George Simion grimaces as he speaks with foreign media during the second round of the country's presidential election redo, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP)

George Simion, the leader of Romania’s right-wing Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, has formally requested that the Constitutional Court annul the results of Sunday’s presidential runoff election. The 38-year-old nationalist claimed the vote was compromised by foreign interference and coordinated manipulation that distorted the true will of Romanian voters.

Simion lost the runoff to Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, who secured 53.6% of the vote, a lead of more than 829,000 votes. Though he initially conceded defeat, Simion later asserted he had "irrefutable evidence" of meddling by France, Moldova, and unnamed other actors.

In a public statement, Simion alleged that "an orchestrated effort to manipulate institutions, direct media narratives and ultimately impose a result that does not reflect the sovereign will of the Romanian people" had taken place. He further claimed that deceased people participated in the voting process, though he later clarified that his team did not yet have confirmed indications of such occurrences.

He also alleged voter fraud involving the transport of people to polling stations in Moldova, which he claimed influenced some 80,000 votes. Both Moldovan and Romanian officials rejected these accusations.

Previous election void, controversy continues

Sunday’s election followed the annulment of a previous vote, in which right-wing candidate Calin Georgescu had led the first round. That result was voided by the Constitutional Court over alleged electoral violations and accusations of Russian interference, which Moscow denied.

Simion, who had finished fourth in the now-invalidated election, formed an alliance with Georgescu, who was later barred from running in the rerun held this May. Simion went on to dominate the first round of the redo on May 4, leading a field of 11 candidates to reach the final runoff.

Adding to the controversy, Simion cited a message from Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov. On election day, Durov posted that a "Western European government", symbolized with a baguette emoji, had requested Telegram "silence conservative voices" in Romania ahead of the vote.

Durov reiterated on Tuesday that he was "ready to come and testify if it helps Romanian democracy," suggesting his willingness to cooperate with any investigation into the matter.