Latest news with #RomanianElection
Russia Today
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Telegram founder ready to help ‘Romanian democracy'
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has promised to come to Romania and testify on the alleged foreign interference into the country's presidential election. Durov promised to 'help' the Romanian democracy in a post on X on Tuesday, responding to a message by George Simion, a Eurosceptic right-wing candidate who narrowly lost the election. Simion claimed the polls were subject to 'external interferences by state and non-state actors,' including France and Moldova, and urged the country's Constitutional Court to immediately annul the results. 'I'm ready to come and testify if it helps Romanian democracy,' Durov wrote in response to Simion's post. The Sunday runoff was won by pro-EU centrist Nicusor Dan by a margin of 53.6% to 46.4%. Simion, however, refused to recognize the outcome, accusing foreign parties of attempting to undermine his campaign. Simion's claims received unexpected backing from Durov, who has claimed that French foreign intelligence chief Nicolas Lerner personally asked him to censor conservatives on his platform ahead of the latest attempt to elect Romania's president. France's foreign intelligence service, the Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE), has denied the claims, insisting it had contacted the Telegram founder only to 'firmly remind him of his company's responsibilities, and his own personally, in preventing terrorist and child pornography threats.' Durov was arrested in France last August and charged with complicity in crimes allegedly carried out by Telegram users. The Russian-born entrepreneur, whose company is headquartered in Dubai,was ultimately released on €5 million ($5.46 million) bail and allowed to leave the country mid-March. The latest attempt to elect the president in Romania follows a major political scandal prompted by the November vote, when the first round was unexpectedly won by hardline right-wing independent Calin Georgescu. The initial vote was promptly annulled by Romania's Constitutional Court, which cited alleged Russian interference. Media reports citing initial findings of the probe into the affair indicated Georgescu's surprise surge was likely prompted by a campaign staged by a firm with ties to the ruling National Liberal Party, which presumably sought to split the conservative vote. Georgescu, however, was ultimately banned from participating in the new election. Romania's Foreign Ministry has accused Moscow of meddling in the latest runoff as well. The Russian government has dismissed the claim, stating that Bucharest's 'electoral mess' shouldn't even count as a proper vote.
Russia Today
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Telegram founder ready to testify on Romanian election
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has promised to come to Romania and testify on the alleged foreign interference into the country's presidential election. Durov promised to 'help' the Romanian democracy in a post on X on Tuesday, responding to a message by George Simion, a Eurosceptic right-wing candidate who narrowly lost the election. Simion claimed the polls were subject to 'external interferences by state and non-state actors,' including France and Moldova, and urged the country's Constitutional Court to immediately annul the results. 'I'm ready to come and testify if it helps Romanian democracy,' Durov wrote in response to Simion's post. The Sunday runoff was won by pro-EU centrist Nicusor Dan by a margin of 53.6% to 46.4%. Simion, however, refused to recognize the outcome, accusing foreign parties of attempting to undermine his campaign. Simion's claims received unexpected backing from Durov, who has claimed that French foreign intelligence chief Nicolas Lerner personally asked him to censor conservatives on his platform ahead of the latest attempt to elect Romania's president. France's foreign intelligence service, the Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE), has denied the claims, insisting it had contacted the Telegram founder only to 'firmly remind him of his company's responsibilities, and his own personally, in preventing terrorist and child pornography threats.' Durov was arrested in France last August and charged with complicity in crimes allegedly carried out by Telegram users. The Russian-born entrepreneur, whose company is headquartered in Dubai,was ultimately released on €5 million ($5.46 million) bail and allowed to leave the country mid-March. The latest attempt to elect the president in Romania follows a major political scandal prompted by the November vote, when the first round was unexpectedly won by hardline right-wing independent Calin Georgescu. The initial vote was promptly annulled by Romania's Constitutional Court, which cited alleged Russian interference. Media reports citing initial findings of the probe into the affair indicated Georgescu's surprise surge was likely prompted by a campaign staged by a firm with ties to the ruling National Liberal Party, which presumably sought to split the conservative vote. Georgescu, however, was ultimately banned from participating in the new election. Romania's Foreign Ministry has accused Moscow of meddling in the latest runoff as well. The Russian government has dismissed the claim, stating that Bucharest's 'electoral mess' shouldn't even count as a proper vote.
Sky News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Romanian election exit polls suggest surprise win for pro-Western candidate Nicusor Dan
Exit polls from the Romanian presidential election suggest pro-Western centrist Nicusor Dan is on course for a surprise win over hard-right populist George Simion. Mr Simion and his rival - who is currently Bucharest's mayor - are facing off in the second round of elections. Exit polls placed Mr Dan comfortably ahead by 54.9% to 45.1%. However, Trump-supporting Mr Simion has already rejected his apparent loss and said estimates put him 400,000 votes ahead. show Mr Dan with a razor-edge lead with about half the votes counted. 2:52 Romania's last election was annulled after its highest court ruled the leading candidate, nationalist Calin Georgescu, should be disqualified due to claims of electoral interference by Russia. The result is surprising because in the first round, 38-year-old Mr Simion, founder of the right-wing Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), took 40.96% of the vote - almost 20 points ahead. An opinion poll on Friday had it much closer, but still suggested the two men were virtually tied. Mr Dan is running as an independent and has pledged to clamp down on corruption. He is also staunchly pro-EU and NATO, and has said Romania's support for Ukraine is vital for its own security. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
Russia Today
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Pro-EU candidate leads in Romanian presidential race
Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan has taken the lead over his opponent, George Simion, in the Romanian presidential election, according to exit polls released on Sunday evening. Both candidates have declared victory, despite the official results not yet being announced. The outcome may hinge on the diaspora vote, which remains uncounted. Dan garnered slightly over 54% of the vote, data published by the Avangarde and CURS show. Another pollster, INSCOP, put his result at 52%. Simion was gaining between 45% and 48% according to the three exit polls. Data published by a fourth pollster, Sociopol, suggested that the candidates were neck-and-neck. Exit poll results are based on questionnaires completed by voters immediately after casting their ballots. According to local media, these polls do not account for votes cast by the diaspora abroad, which could significantly influence the final outcome. DETAILS TO FOLLOW
Sky News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Exit polls from Romanian presidential election suggest surprise win for pro-Western candidate Nicusor Dan
Exit polls from the Romanian presidential election suggest pro-Western centrist Nicusor Dan is on course for a surprise win over hard-right populist George Simion. Mr Simion and his rival - who is currently Bucharest's mayor - are facing off in the second round of elections. Exit polls placed Mr Dan strongly ahead by 54.9% to 45.1%. However, Trump-supporting Mr Simion has already rejected his apparent loss and said estimates put him 400,000 votes ahead. Voting began at 7am (5am UK time) and ended at 9pm (7pm UK time). Romania's last election was annulled six months ago after the country's highest court ruled the leading candidate, nationalist Calin Georgescu, should be disqualified due to allegations of electoral interference by Russia. The result is surprising because in the first round earlier this month, 38-year-old Mr Simion, founder of the right-wing Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) party, took 40.96% of the vote - almost 20 points ahead. Mr Dan is running as an independent and has pledged to clamp down on corruption. He is also staunchly pro-EU and NATO, and has said Romania's support for Ukraine is vital for its own security. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
