The Constitutional Court of Romania has decided to cancel the presidential elections, the second round of which was supposed to be held this weekend, and to hold a new one.
The court ruled on December 6, saying the government must now decide when to hold new elections.
The first-round victory of Russia-friendly far-right candidate Kalin Georgesku sent shockwaves through the West, amid evidence of a massive cyber campaign orchestrated by Moscow in his favor on TikTok that largely flew under the radar of Romanian authorities.
Georgeska was supposed to face the pro-European centrist candidate Elena Laskoni in the second round, which was scheduled for December 8.
Voting has already begun abroad in the second round of the Romanian presidential election, which is considered a referendum on the future course of this NATO and European Union (EU) member. All amid accusations of Russian meddling in the elections, which brought thousands of Romanians to the streets in support of the country's remaining in the Euro-Atlantic community.
Georgescu emerged as the favorite to win in the runoff, but Lasconi was still ahead according to opinion polls, and after Romania's Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) declassified documents on December 4 that revealed the country had been targeted "aggressive hybrid Russian action" that led to the shock victory of a far-right candidate.
Laskoni, a former TV host and current mayor of the small town of Kampulung, had a two percent lead over Georgesku in an AtlasIntel poll released on Dec. 5 that was assigned a margin of error of about one percent.
Georgescu's first place has sparked fears and protests, especially among younger Romanians, about the future of democracy in the country.
Around 3.000 people marched in Bucharest on December 5 to demand Romania maintain its pro-European path before gathering in the capital's University Square chanting "Freedom" and "Europe".
Activists, including poet Ana Blandijana, prominent actors and other Romanians spoke at the rally, which was sponsored by the group Romania Spera (Romania Hopes).
Blandiana, who was banned by Romania's communist authorities, said the vote was more than just an election. The vote is a real referendum: "'Yes' -- for Europe or 'No' for the past I left 35 years ago," she told the crowd.
Romanian theater and film legend Victor Rebengiuk also urged the crowd to vote for Lasconi.
"I urge you to choose Laskoni, it is a closer detour through Kampung than through Moscow," the 91-year-old actor and civic activist told the mostly young audience.
Serban Pavlu, an actor known for his roles in Romanian and Western feature films and television series, also urged voters to choose a pro-European candidate.
"We cannot, 30 years after the revolution, be afraid that the Russians will come to us," Pavlu said, referring to the events of December 1989, when civil unrest spread across the country and resulted in the execution of communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife. Elena at Christmas.
Actress Oana Pelea told the crowd that there is only one path for Romanians: the path to freedom "so that we don't end up spending our holidays (in Russia) in St. Petersburg."
History professor Marcel Bartic opened the rally by telling people to use their voices and speak out against fascism, which he said Romania did not want.
"We are here to remind our compatriots that Romania says no to extremists, fascism. We want Europe, European values and we are not afraid to say it," said Bartic.
A statement from the Romania Spera group on Facebook stated that the country is at a defining moment decades after the revolution opened the country's path to freedom and democracy.
The organization said the country had been on a "difficult journey ... with many disappointments" since 1989, but still achieved the right to travel, settle, study and work in European countries and NATO membership.
"Human dignity, basic freedoms, equality between people, solidarity, citizens' rights and justice are values that can unite us all," said the organization.
In a show of support, Moldovan President Maja Sandu traveled to Romania on December 5 to meet with Lasconi. Moldova was part of Romania until World War II and the two countries share a common language, culture and history.
The pro-Western Sandu was re-elected president on November 3, defeating pro-Moscow candidate Alexander Stojanoglu, despite allegations of a widespread campaign in his favor orchestrated and financed by Russia.
"We, Moldovans, have always looked at Romania with admiration. For us, Romania has always been a model to follow...that's why we also want to be part of the European Union, but we need your help," Sandu told the Romanian candidate for President Eleni Laskoni.
Moldova opened accession negotiations with the European Union earlier this year.
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