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Scottish Sun
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Shock election result after it was REDONE due to ‘Russian meddling' as Europe deals Putin blow in ‘Super Sunday' votes
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EUROPE'S voters have delivered a crushing blow to Putin in a shock election twist, following a re-run after claims of Russian meddling. Millions of Europeans headed to the polls today in what is being called a Super Sunday showdown. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Far-right candidate George Simion casts his vote during Romania's presidential election in Bucharest Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 Nicusor Dan is expected to win the election, according to exit polls Credit: EPA 5 Romania's elections had to be redone due to claims of Russian meddling last year Credit: Reuters Romania's far-right candidate George Simion has long been the favourite to win the country's presidential election. Simion comfortably won the first round of voting on May 4 with 41 per cent of the vote - double that of rival Nicusor Dan. But the gap between the pair is closing in and Dan is now expected to snag the win in what will be a nail-biting finish. Dan was reportedly ahead of Simion after 50 per cent of votes had been counted, with exit polls predicting a win for the current mayor of Bucharest. Dan's win will come as a massive blow to Putin who has the support of the far-right. Simion's campaign was reportedly inspired by US MAGA politicians, with the far-right candidate promising to "make Romania great again". His win would have been welcome news to Putin, with the former football ultra previously pledging to end military aid to Kyiv. Simion has also been banned from the war-torn country for calling for territory there to be part of Romania. A Romanian politician, Siegfried Mureşan, celebrated the result as he said a win for Simion would 'benefit only Vladimir Putin'. But it appears Simion has not taken the possibility of losing well, as footage shows him on stage publicly rejecting the outcome of the exit polls. Russia unleashes 'war's biggest drone attack' as Putin defies Trump's calls to 'stop bloodbath' & vows to keep fighting This comes as the result of last year's presidential election was scrapped after claims of Russian meddling emerged. It is thought that Russia helped set up unverified social media TikTok accounts in support of the far-right independent candidate Calin Georgescu who came out on top. The pro-Georgescu videos posted on TikTok were not labelled as election content, directly breaching Romania's laws. Moscow denied interfering in the vote. Millions of Europeans headed to the polls today in what has been dubbed Super Sunday, with Romania, Poland and Portugal holding elections. The first round of Poland's presidential election has also proved to be a kick in the teeth to Vlad, with exit polls suggesting that Warsaw's liberal Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski will take the win. The Russian tyrant was likely hoping for a far-right candidate to win, with many of those in the running holding anti-Ukraine views. A number of candidates even discussed backing an 'agreement' with Russia's Vladimir Putin in their election campaigns. And in the Portuguese elections the centre-right appears to be ahead, as the far-right sees yet another fall. 5 Poles cast their votes in the polling station in Gdansk, Poland Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Shock election result after it was REDONE due to ‘Russian meddling' as Europe deals Putin blow in ‘Super Sunday' votes
EUROPE'S voters have delivered a crushing blow to Putin in a shock election twist, following a re-run after claims of Russian meddling. Millions of Europeans headed to the polls today in what is being called a Super Sunday showdown. Advertisement 5 Far-right candidate George Simion casts his vote during Romania's presidential election in Bucharest Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 Nicusor Dan is expected to win the election, according to exit polls Credit: EPA 5 Romania's elections had to be redone due to claims of Russian meddling last year Credit: Reuters Romania's far-right candidate George Simion has long been the favourite to win the country's presidential election. Simion comfortably won the first round of voting on May 4 with 41 per cent of the vote - double that of rival Nicusor Dan. But the gap between the pair is closing in and Dan is now expected to snag the win in what will be a nail-biting finish. Dan was reportedly ahead of Simion after 50 per cent of votes had been counted, with exit polls predicting a win for the mayor of Bucharest. Advertisement read more on Putin Dan's win will come as a massive blow to Putin who has the support of the far-right. Simion's campaign was reportedly inspired by US MAGA politicians, with the far-right candidate promising to "make Romania great again". His win would have been welcome news to Putin, with the former football ultra previously pledging to end military aid to Kyiv. Simion has also been banned from the war-torn country for calling for territory there to be part of Romania. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun A Romanian politician, Siegfried Mureşan, celebrated the result as he said a win for Simion would 'benefit only Vladimir Putin'. This comes as the result of last year's presidential election was scrapped due to claims of Russian meddling . Russia unleashes 'war's biggest drone attack' as Putin defies Trump's calls to 'stop bloodbath' & vows to keep fighting It is thought that Russia helped set up unverified social media TikTok accounts in support of the far-right independent candidate Calin Georgescu who came out on top. The pro-Georgescu videos posted on TikTok were not labelled as election content, directly breaching Romania's laws. Advertisement Moscow denied interfering in the vote. Millions of Europeans headed to the polls today in what has been dubbed Super Sunday, with Romania, Poland and Portugal holding elections. The first round of Poland's presidential election has also proved to be a kick in the teeth to Vlad, with exit polls suggesting that Warsaw's liberal Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski will take the win. The Russian tyrant was likely hoping for a far-right candidate to win, with many of those in the running holding anti-Ukraine views. Advertisement A number of candidates even discussed backing an 'agreement' with Russia's Vladimir Putin in their election campaigns. And in the Portuguese elections the centre-right appear to be ahead, as the far-right sees yet another fall. 5 Poles cast their votes in the polling station in Gdansk, Poland Credit: Getty 5 A child casts a ballot in lieu of her relative at a polling station in Espinho, Portugal Credit: Reuters Advertisement
DW
18-05-2025
- Politics
- DW
Romania election: Polls open in tight presidential runoff – DW – 05/18/2025
Skip next section Why was the Romanian election annulled? 05/18/2025 May 18, 2025 Why was the Romanian election annulled? The previous presidential election, held in November, saw far-right, pro-Russian political outsider Calin Georgescu surprisingly come out on top in the first round. The vote was later annulled by Romania's constitutional court, which found irregularities in the financing and organization of the leading campaign. Alleged electoral violations included the activation of thousands of previously inactive social media accounts to spread pro-Georgescu messaging as part of an "aggressive Russian hybrid attack," which Moscow denies. Romanian public prosecutors in February opened an investigation into Georgescu, who had been banned from standing again in May's rerun.
The Journal
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Romania braces for contentious presidential election rerun, but what went wrong the first time?
ROMANIANS WILL VOTE tomorrow to elect a new president for the second time in six months after the first ballot was cancelled due to allegations of Russian interference. Călin Georgescu, an independent anti-EU and pro-Moscow candidate, profited from an unprecedented explosion in popularity from 5% before the November vote to 23%, placing him far ahead of the two favoured candidates for the presidency. However, evidence emerged in the aftermath that purported to show traces of Russian influence throughout the campaign, casting doubt over his shock victory and leading to an investigation into the 63-year-old. The influence was said to have been actioned through cyber-attacks on election computer systems, as well as via social media influencers allegedly paid by Moscow to disseminate pro-Georgescu content. Calin Georgescu, winner of the first round of presidential elections last November. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The Constitutional Court of Romania annulled the election result two weeks later, and Georgescu was subsequently banned in March from partaking in tomorrow's rerun, a ruling he claimed is evidence that 'Europe is now a dictatorship, Romania is under tyranny'. US Vice President JD Vance criticised the decision, accusing Romanian authorities of 'cancelling elections because you don't like the result'. George Simion of the right-wing Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) – of which Georgescu was once a member – is the country's second-largest party. Advertisement Simion is the current favourite to win the election. A Donald Trump fan who claims Romania's November election was 'stolen', he is polling around 29%, channelling simmering frustration over its cancellation. George Simioni, the leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR). Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Such is the closeness of purpose he feels with the US 'conservative path', Simion ruled out the possibility of another cancellation, stating: 'We have the support of the United States'. His main rivals in tomorrow's vote are Crin Antonescu of the Social Democratic Party (PsD) who is polling on 22% and mayor of Bucharest, Nicușor Dan from the National Liberal Party (PNL). The result of this election could be pivotal for the direction of the EU and NATO, as a victory by the eurosceptic and anti-NATO Simion could have major implications for the stability of globalist alliances in the face of tariff uncertainty and an unrelenting war in Ukraine. How does the vote work in Romania? If a presidential candidate achieves 50% or more of the vote in the first round, they are automatically declared the winner and will serve a five-year term. If none of them achieve this portion of the vote right away, the candidates with the two highest vote counts enter into a second round, slated for 18 May. Romania has a prime minister, though the president also possesses power over domestic and foreign policy while also serving as a figurehead. With reporting from AFP and PA. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thousands protest cancelled Romanian election ahead of repeat vote
BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Thousands of Romanians gathered in the capital Bucharest on Wednesday to protest the December cancellation of a presidential election and the banning of its far-right frontrunner from standing for office again. The European Union and NATO member which borders Ukraine will repeat its two-round presidential election on May 4 and 18 after the Constitutional Court voided the initial ballot in December following accusations of Russian meddling in favour of far-right, pro-Russian frontrunner Calin Georgescu. Earlier this month, it banned Georgescu from running again, and George Simion, leader of Romania's second largest party, the Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR), subsequently became the hard right's replacement candidate. Georgescu, who turned 63 on Wednesday, has not publicly commented since he was disqualified and has stopped short of outright endorsing Simion. Opinion surveys released earlier this month show Simion is poised to make it into the run-off vote on May 18. Simion's AUR organised Wednesday's protest outside the government headquarters in downtown Bucharest, which saw several thousand people gather, shouting "Freedom" and "Thieves," waving flags and blowing vuvuzelas. Separately, a competing pro-Georgescu rally saw several thousand more protesters gather. "This fake government should fall. It has cut democracy and sold the country," said Claudiu Ghita, 62, a retired railroad worker. "I will vote for George Simion in May." If a far-right candidate succeeds in swaying Georgescu's voters, it could determine whether another central European country swings closer to Moscow beside Hungary and Slovakia. "Calin Georgescu is out, we will vote Simion. The ultranationalists have not been in power yet and we need peace," said Maria, who declined to give her last name. She was wearing a red Make America Great Again T-shirt and waving a giant Romanian flag. The far right, which now holds 35% of parliament seats, has painted Romanian mainstream parties as beholden to covert Brussels interests, and has stoked fears that EU support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia will pull Romania into the war.
