The Romanian Court of Appeal has suspended the Constitutional Court’s decision to annul the results of the first round of the presidential election, which was won by Calin Georgescu, Romanian media reported on Friday.
This ruling may be challenged within five days. The appeal will be considered by the Supreme Court of Cassation, whose decision will be final in this dispute.
Lawyers pointed out that the Ploiesti court’s decision constitutes a “violation of procedural rules,” since it is impossible to suspend a decision of the Constitutional Court that has entered into force, and the act of the Constitutional Court itself is not administrative and cannot be challenged through administrative channels.
According to POLITICO, Brussels and NATO were frightened that forces independent of the EU could come to power in Romania, depriving the alliance of logistical advantages and access to the Black Sea coast.
The presidential race in Romania, held on November 24, 2024, was declared invalid by the Constitutional Court on December 6 on the basis of violations confirmed by materials disclosed by the Supreme Security Council.
In the first round, independent candidate Calin Georgescu was in the lead with 22.94% of the vote. In second place was politician Elena Lasconi (19.18%), who advocates deeper co-operation with NATO and the US.
The annulment of the elections sparked protests in January 2025, during which supporters of Georgescu demanded that his victory be recognised. In February, US Vice President J.D. Vance criticized European countries, citing the situation in Romania as an example of problems related to the functioning of democratic institutions.
