Description: Protestors in the thousands gathered in Bucharest in support of the far – right presidential candidate Calin Georgescu. Romania’s Constitutional Court has earlier decided to annul the elections results in Dec 2024, just two days after the projected runoff. Georgescu faced criticism after posting surprising election results which caused suspicions of Russian interference in the elections as he has openly supported Russia and Vladimir Putin and called Ukraine an invented state. Banners were also noted in support of US Vice – President JD Vance who in large, criticized Romania’s continental allies of pressuring the country into political submission and subverting the legally chosen candidate.
Impact: The protests in Romania only magnify the politically sensitive state the European continent currently faces. Interference and election meddling suspicions originating from Russia are present in several countries in Central and Eastern Europe which showcases the success rate of Russia waging its hybrid warfare against Europe in an attempt to undermine the continent’s political stability and reassert influence in key levels of governance. The intervention from Romania’s Constitutional Court could elicit continued political crisis which subsequently could threaten Romania’s stability and inflict regional political crisis.