Bucharest: Romania's constitutional court has nullified the ongoing presidential election, citing concerns over Russian interference, and ordered a complete re-run of the process. The election, set to culminate this weekend, had already seen voting begin in overseas polling stations. The now-aborted second round was slated to pit Calin Georgescu, a far-right, pro-Russian candidate, against Elena Lasconi, a centrist with strong pro-European Union (EU) credentials.

“The entire electoral process for electing Romania’s president must be restarted. The government will establish a new date and procedural calendar,” the court stated.

Georgescu, initially a low-polling contender before the November 24 first round, unexpectedly surged to the lead, raising questions about the integrity of the results. His platform includes ending Romanian support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion, a shift that could alter the pro-Western trajectory of this EU and NATO member state. If elected, he would align Romania more closely with populist, Russia-friendly governments in countries like Hungary and Slovakia.

The court’s decision has plunged the nation into political uncertainty, as President Klaus Iohannis's term ends on December 21. Analysts warn of potential institutional chaos, protests, and risks to Romania’s pro-Western orientation.

Romania’s security council recently declassified documents outlining "aggressive hybrid Russian attacks" targeting the election. These included coordinated social media campaigns boosting Georgescu on TikTok, unauthorized access to election websites, and over 85,000 cyberattacks exploiting system vulnerabilities. Despite Georgescu’s campaign claiming no funds spent, intelligence reports point to heavy promotion through suspicious channels. Russia has denied involvement.

The court’s move has polarized Romania’s political landscape. Opposition leader George Simion of the far-right Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR) called the annulment a “coup d’état,” accusing the court of undermining the people’s will. His party had endorsed Georgescu after Simion’s fourth-place finish in the first round.

Elena Lasconi criticized the ruling as “illegal and amoral,” arguing it undermines the democratic process. However, Social Democrat Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu endorsed the decision, calling it the "only fair solution."

Meanwhile, anti-organized crime prosecutors have launched an investigation into Georgescu’s campaign, examining cybercrimes such as unauthorized access to systems and attempts to disrupt computer networks.

The annulment adds to Romania’s turbulent political climate following a parliamentary election earlier this month in which far-right parties gained a significant foothold, though the pro-EU Social Democrats emerged as the largest faction. While the parliamentary vote remains unaffected, the presidential re-run introduces further uncertainty.

Experts suggest Georgescu could be barred from the new election, as seen earlier this year when the court disqualified another ultra-nationalist candidate, Diana Șoșoacă. “If Georgescu is excluded, protests and radicalization are likely, with support consolidating around whichever far-right candidate remains,” predicted political science professor Sergiu Mișcoiu.

The court promised a detailed explanation of its decision in the coming days, while Georgescu is expected to address the nation later on Friday.

Romania’s financial markets appeared relieved by the court ruling, with hard-currency bonds rallying. Dollar-denominated bonds saw their strongest performance since mid-November, reflecting investor hopes for restored political stability.