Presidential frontrunner accuses EU candidate of vote rigging
Romanian presidential candidate George Simion has accused the pro-EU government in neighboring Moldova of attempting to rig Sunday's runoff vote. The Euroskeptic leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) came in first in the initial round of the presidential election rerun on May 4, securing more than 40% of the vote.
Around 30% of Moldova's population are dual Moldovan-Romanian citizens. Simion's supporters argue that early turnout among Romanians voting in Moldova is suspiciously high – nearly three times the level recorded during the same period in the first round.
'Enough campaigning – now we have to stop the massive fraud! The government in Moldova has started stealing votes. We won't let them!' Simion wrote on Facebook on Friday.
The AUR claims that Moldova's ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) has been directing voters to support Simion's opponent, Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan. 'By 1 p.m., over 50,000 votes had been cast by the diaspora – an increase of almost 70% compared to the first round. These figures are no coincidence,' the party wrote on its website.
The AUR also accused Moldova's Pro TV Chisinau of waging 'an illegal and partisan campaign in favor of the establishment candidate' and of voter manipulation 'under the guise of independent journalism.'
Chisinau has denied having any interference in the election. 'Out of respect for the voters, we urge all political actors to refrain from making accusations that only serve to undermine this democratic exercise,' government spokesman Daniel Voda said. He encouraged Romanian nationals living in Moldova to cast their ballots 'without fear.'
The election rerun was ordered after Romania's Constitutional Court annulled the results of the November vote, in which independent right-wing candidate Calin Georgescu came in first with 23%. The authorities cited 'irregularities' in his campaign, along with intelligence reports alleging Russian interference – which Moscow has denied.
Simion condemned the annulment of the 2024 election results as a 'coup d'état.' He is currently banned from entering Moldova, which he has called 'an artificial country' which 'will never join the European Union.'
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