BUCHAREST:
Romania’s presidential election was plunged into turmoil on Thursday after a court mandated a recount of the first-round votes. Security officials also claimed that interference via TikTok had helped a lesser-known far-right candidate gain unexpected support.
This development comes ahead of the country’s legislative elections and a December 8 runoff between Calin Georgescu, a far-right candidate with ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Elena Lasconi, a pro-European centrist.
Security officials reported detecting “cyberattacks” aimed at influencing the election results, following Georgescu’s surprise first-round victory. He ousted Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, while Lasconi, who secured second place, will now face Georgescu in the runoff. Meanwhile, a competing far-right candidate secured a court order for a recount of the first-round votes.
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