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A presidential election was held in Romania on 24 November 2024. [1] [2] [3] A second round was to be held on 8 December 2024, [2] [4] as no candidate achieved an absolute majority in the first round. [3] On 6 December 2024, the Constitutional Court of Romania annulled the results of the first round of the election, finding that a Russian influence operation had impacted the vote. This will be the ninth presidential election held in post-revolution Romania. The incumbent Klaus Iohannis, first elected in 2014 and then re-elected in 2019, must vacate the office at the end of his term, as the Romanian Constitution allows a president to be re-elected only once.
The result of the first round was an upset, with independent nationalist candidate Călin Georgescu achieving a relative majority of votes, while liberal politician Elena Lasconi finished second and also advanced to the runoff vote. Initially viewed as a minor candidate with little chance of victory, Georgescu quickly gained significant support through campaigning on non-traditional media outlets such as TikTok, receiving particular popularity among those disaffected with current Romanian politics, including youth, farmers, rural voters, and members of the working class. He was considered the front-runner in the race, [5] and polling conducted after the first round of voting found him to be the most popular figure in the country's politics. [6]
Corruption, LGBTQ rights, the role of Christianity in public life, and the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War are leading issues. Georgescu, who has run on a nationalist platform, has criticized the National Coalition for Romania, a grand coalition of Romania's two largest parties, as corrupt. He has favored increasing the role of Christianity in public life, promised to outlaw "LGBT propaganda", [7] put forward plans towards partly nationalizing important industries, [8] and promoted neutrality and national sovereignty, as well as non-interventionism towards the Ukrainian War, without exiting NATO or the European Union. Lasconi supports secularism, further European integration, alignment with the United States and the West, and increasing military funding towards Ukraine.
Georgescu's campaign has been endorsed by an assortment of Christian democratic, nationalist, agrarian, and communist political parties, including the Alliance for the Union of Romanians, S.O.S. Romania, Romanian Socialist Party, and the National Peasants' Party. [9] Lasconi's campaign has been endorsed by the National Liberal Party, Democracy and Solidarity Party, Save Romania Union, and Renewing Romania's European Project, among several other parties. This is the first time since 2000 that a nationalist candidate made it into the second round instead of either the National Liberals or the now defunct Democratic Liberal Party. It is also the first time in the post-Communist period that the Social Democrats failed to reach the run-off. [10] [11]
The aftermath of the first presidential vote was controversial and led Romania to the brink of a political crisis. [12] President Iohannis, who chairs the country's Supreme Council of Defence, accused Georgescu's campaign of being supported by Russia. Following vote rigging allegations made by a minor candidate, the Constitutional Court of Romania ordered a recount, [13] [14] but ultimately decided to confirm the results of the first round on 2 December. [15] On 6 December, the Constitutional Court reversed their decision and controversially annulled the first round of the election, [16] after intelligence documents were declassified stating that Russia had run a coordinated online campaign to promote Georgescu. [17] [18] [19]
Following consultations with various parliamentary groups, the government of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced on 4 July 2024 that presidential elections would take place later that year on 24 November for a first round and 8 December for a second round. It also set parliamentary elections for 1 December. [20] Prior to this, there was a speculation according to which the forthcoming Romanian presidential elections might have occurred earlier than to term, in the event that incumbent President Klaus Iohannis would have been nominated as Secretary General of NATO and that he would have accepted the nomination in the meantime, then the election would have likely been called earlier than planned. [21] This ultimately did not come to pass, as Dutch former Prime Minister Mark Rutte was chosen to succeed the incumbent Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. [22]
President Klaus Iohannis was not eligible for another candidacy, therefore the party sought another suitable candidate. Former Prime Minister and former PNL president Ludovic Orban stated in Tecuci, Galați County, on 22 May 2021, that he did not "rule out" a candidacy in 2024. [23] On 25 June 2021, then-Prime Minister Florin Cîțu stated in Piatra Neamț that he is "currently not considering" a presidential candidacy. [24] Furthermore, fellow party leaders considered proposing Iohannis as Prime Minister after he ceases to be president. [25] On 15 September 2024, Nicolae Ciucă was formally designated as the PNL candidate for the presidency of Romania. [26]
In a televised talk show on 24 April 2021, the party leader Marcel Ciolacu stated that it would be "very likely" that the party president (himself, at that time) would not run for president in 2024. [27] Asked about considering a presidential candidacy, member of the Chamber of Deputies, Alexandru Rafila vaguely answered on 4 July 2021 "never say never" but underlined that running for president is "definitely not my goal". [28] In another televised talk show, former Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu stated that the party is "going for the win" in all elections scheduled for 2024 (legislative, local, European Parliament, and presidential), and he "did not rule out" that Mircea Geoană could be again the party's presidential candidate. [29] Geoană ran for president in 2009 but narrowly lost in the second round to Traian Băsescu, who was then re-elected for a second and final term. Speculations were proven clear that Geoană was running for the presidency in 2024 but did not receive PSD support as it was initially believed according to incumbent PSD president Marcel Ciolacu. [30] [31] On 26 August 2024, at the two-day PSD Congress, Ciolacu was officially designated as the party's presidential candidate. [32]
Former 2019 candidate and party co-president Dan Barna stated in several interviews in April 2021 that his candidacy was "not ruled out" and a "real scenario". [33] Party co-president Dacian Cioloș stated in an interview on 18 February 2021 that he was also considering a potential candidacy. [34] On 1 October 2021, Cioloș stated that his objective was to win the 2024 presidential election. [35] On 26 June 2024, at the two-day USR Congress, Elena Lasconi, the newly elected party president, was officially designated as the party's presidential candidate. [36] [37]
Cristian Diaconescu, then newly elected president of the party in early 2021, was designated the party's presidential candidate; [38] however, some analysts believed that Mihail Neamțu, a current member of the PMP, might run instead, either as an independent (with PMP support) or as a candidate from another party. [39] On 23 March 2022, Cristian Diaconescu was excluded from the party by the new leadership, thus losing his presidential candidate status previously granted by the PMP. [40] Diaconescu subsequently filed to run as an independent candidate. [41]
On 28 June 2022, former Prime Minister, former PNL president, and current Force of the Right (FD) leader Ludovic Orban announced that he would run for president in 2024, also stating that he doesn't want to support any other candidate, being tremendously disappointed by the incumbent Klaus Iohannis. [42] Orban was the second former PNL president to run for the Romanian presidency supported by a breakaway faction of the PNL after Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu (Prime Minister between 2004 and 2008) who ran on behalf of the Liberal Reformist Party (PLR; one of the predecessors of the Romanian ALDE founded in 2015 through a merger with the Conservative Party (PC) and subsequently absorbed by the PNL in March 2022) in 2014, during that year's presidential election. On 18 November 2024, during a live TV debate, Ludovic Orban announced his withdrawal from the presidential race and his endorsement to Elena Lasconi, the USR candidate. [43] His late withdrawal kept his name on the ballot and any vote received would still be counted as his. Technically, he continued campaigning but delivered messages of endorsement for Lasconi. [3]
PER announced on 28 October 2024 its endorsement for Cristian Diaconescu. [44]
The Alliance for the Union of Romanians nominated its leader George Simion. [45]
The Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) notably disqualified S.O.S. Romania candidate Diana Șoșoacă from running, ruling that her public statements and conduct "systematically" violate the country's constitutional foundation of membership in Euro-Atlantic structures, without giving any specific reasons to back up their claim. [46] [47] In response, Șoșoacă claimed "this proves the Americans, Israelis and the European Union have plotted to rig the Romanian election before it has begun". [48] The court's ruling, which was split 5–2 along party lines, was criticized by some[ weasel words ] for being politically motivated, undemocratic and a result of corruption, [46] including by the PNL, which ended its governing coalition with the PSD as a result of the decision. [49] PNL president Nicolae Ciucă claimed the court's decision showed the involvement of the PSD and endangers democracy in Romania, while PSD president Marcel Ciolacu reacted by saying that the Court should be reformed. [50]
Călin Georgescu, a Romanian nationalist who is a former member of the AUR, ran as an independent. [51] He primarily conducted his campaigns through TikTok. [52]
These candidates were placed on the first and the second place in the first round, but none of them reached at least 50% of the votes. Thus, they qualified for the second round, to be held on 8 December 2024. The first round was later annulled by the Constitutional Court of Romania, invalidating this second round. [53]
Name | Born | Public Office Experience | Affiliation and endorsement | Alma mater and profession | Candidacy Announcement dates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Călin Georgescu | 26 March 1962 (age 62) Bucharest | Executive director of the United Nations Global Sustainable Index Institute in Geneva (2015–2016) Executive director of the National Center of Sustainable Development (1997–2013) Secretary of State with the Ministry of Environment (c. 2010) | Motto: Refacem România ([We are] Rebuilding Romania) Affiliation: none Endorsed by: POT (both rounds) [54] AUR, [55] PPR (second round) | University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest (1986) Agronomist | Considering the candidacy, endorsed by AUR: 20 November 2021 [56] Declined interest for public office: 18 February 2022 [57] Considering the candidacy, endorsed by PRR: 16 October 2023 [58] Official: 1 September 2024 [59] [60] BEC filing: 1 October 2024 [61] [62] BEC validation: 3 October 2024 [63] |
Elena Lasconi | 20 April 1972 (age 52) Hațeg, Hunedoara County | Mayor of Câmpulung (2020–present) | Motto: O Românie pentru toți, nu doar pentru unii. (A Romania for all, not just for some [people].) Affiliation: USR Endorsed by: PSD, [64] PNL, REPER, FD, PMP, Demos, AD, ACUM, Volt, PNȚ-MM | Faculty of Management, Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies (2001) [65] Economist, journalist | Considering the candidacy: 16 June 2024 [66] Intention: 26 June 2024 [67] Official: 29 June 2024 [68] BEC filing: 1 October 2024 [69] [62] BEC validation: 3 October 2024 [70] CCR rejected validation challenge: 7 October 2024 [71] [72] |
These candidates' bids were validated by the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC). Some candidacies were challenged by the CCR, but rejected those claims. Excludes a valid candidate that withdrew during the electoral campaign and announced his endorsement to another candidate, while his name remained on the ballot.
Name | Born | Public Office Experience | Affiliation and endorsement | Alma mater and profession | Candidacy Announcement dates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ana Birchall | 30 August 1973 (age 51) Mizil, Prahova County | Deputy (2012–2020) Minister of Justice (2019) Minister Delegate for European Affairs (2017) | Motto: Mai bine (Better) Affiliation: none | Faculty of Law and International Relations, "Nicolae Titulescu" University (1996) Lawyer | Intention: 18 June 2024 [73] Official: 16 August 2024 [74] BEC filing: 4 October 2024 [75] [76] BEC validation: 6 October 2024 [77] |
Marcel Ciolacu | 28 November 1967 (age 56) Buzău, Buzău County | Prime Minister of Romania (2023–election day) Deputy (2012–election day) President of the Chamber of Deputies (2019–2020, 2021–2023) Deputy Prime Minister (2017–2018) Deputy mayor of Buzău (2008–2012) Acting prefect of Buzău County (2005) | Motto: Calea sigură pentru România (The safe way for Romania) Affiliation: PSD Endorsed by: PRO Romania, PRPE | Faculty of Law, Ecological University of Bucharest (1995) Jurist, pastry owner | Denied interest: 24 April 2021 [27] Considering the candidacy: 15 March 2023 [78] Intention: 20 August 2024 [79] Official: 24 August 2024 [80] BEC filing: 5 October 2024 [81] [82] CCR rejected bid challenge: 5 October 2024 [83] [84] BEC validation: 6 October 2024 [85] CCR rejected seven validation challenges: four on 7 October 2024 [71] [72] [86] [87] [88] and three on 14 October 2024 [89] [90] [91] [92] |
Nicolae Ciucă [93] | 7 February 1967 (age 57) Plenița, Dolj County | President of the Senate of Romania (2023–election day) Senator (2020–election day) Prime Minister of Romania (2021–2023, acting in December 2020) Minister of National Defence (2019–2021) Chief of the Romanian General Staff (2015–2019) | Motto: Cu onoare și credință în slujba țării (In country's service, with honor and faith) Affiliation: PNL | Carol I National Defence University (1995) Nicolae Bălcescu Land Forces Academy (1988) Military | Considering the candidacy: 3 November 2023 [94] Intention: 15 July 2024 [95] Official: 15 September 2024 [26] BEC filing: 2 October 2024 [96] [97] BEC validation: 3 October 2024 [98] CCR rejected two validation challenges: 5 October 2024 [99] [100] and 14 October 2024 [89] [92] |
Cristian Diaconescu | 2 July 1959 (age 65) Bucharest | Presidential advisor (2012–2014) Minister of Foreign Affairs (2008–2009; 2012) Senator (2004–2012) Minister of Justice (2004) Secretary of State for European Affairs with Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2004) Secretary of State for Bilateral Affairs with Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2000–2004) | Motto: Pentru România respectată (For [a] respected Romania) Affiliation: Independent Platform Association Endorsed by: PER | Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest (1983) Lawyer, Diplomat | Intention: 7 March 2021 Official PMP candidate: 7 March 2021 [38] Excluded from PMP: 23 March 2022 Considering the candidacy: 16 July 2024 [101] Official: 8 August 2024 [102] BEC filing: 4 October 2024 [103] BEC validation: 6 October 2024 [104] [105] |
Mircea Geoană | 14 July 1958 (age 66) Bucharest | Deputy Secretary General of NATO (2019–2024) Senator (2004–2016) President of the Senate of Romania (2008–2011) Minister of Foreign Affairs (2000–2004) Romanian Ambassador to USA (1996–2000) Former presidential elections: 2009: 31.15% (2nd place, 1st round), 49.66% (2nd place, 2nd round) | Motto: Viziune. Respect. (Vision. Respect.) Affiliation: none Endorsed by: România Renaște Movement and Romania in Action Party | Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest (1993) Faculty of Mechanics, Politehnica University of Bucharest (1983) Diplomat | Considering the candidacy: 24 November 2023 [106] Intention: 25 August 2024 [107] Official: 11 September 2024 [108] BEC filing: 3 October 2024 [109] BEC validation: 3 October 2024 [110] CCR rejected four validation challenges on: 5 October 2024, [83] [111] 7 October 2024, [71] [72] 9 October 2024 [112] [113] and 14 October 2024 [89] [91] |
Hunor Kelemen | 18 October 1967 (age 57) Cârța, Harghita County | Deputy (2000–election day) Deputy Prime Minister (2020–2023) Minister of Culture (2009–2012; 2014) Secretary of State with the Minister of Culture (1997–2000) Former presidential elections: 2019: 3.87% (6th place) 2014: 3.47% (8th place) 2009: 3.83% (5th place) | Motto: Nimic nu crește când statul se mărește. Alege vocea rațiunii! (Nothing develops when the state enhances. Chose the voice of reason!) Affiliation: UDMR Endorsed by: AMT, MPE | University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca (1993) Faculty of Philosophy, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca (1998) Journalist, poet | Denied interest: 17 January 2023 [114] Intention: 5 September 2024 [115] Official: 6 September 2024 [116] BEC filing: 2 October 2024 [117] [118] BEC validation: 3 October 2024 [119] CCR rejected validation challenge: 5 October 2024 [99] [120] |
Alexandra Păcuraru | 30 June 1987 (age 37) Galați, Galați County | Motto: România se înalță cu demnitate (Romania ascends with dignity) Affiliation: ADN | Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University (2009) Faculty of Cinematography and Television, Media University (2009) [121] TV anchor | Official: 16 September 2024 [122] [123] BEC filing: 5 October 2024 [124] [125] BEC validation: 6 October 2024 [126] | |
Sebastian Popescu | 12 February 1982 (age 42) Balș, Olt County | Former presidential elections: 2019: 0.33% (13th place) | Motto: Un președinte în slujba României (A president in Romania's service) Affiliation: New Romania Party | Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Banat University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Timișoara (2006) veterinarian | Intention: 2 April 2024 [127] Official: 20 April 2024 [128] BEC filing: 5 October 2024 [125] BEC validation: 6 October 2024 [129] |
Silviu Predoiu | 5 August 1958 (age 66) Bucharest | Acting chief of Foreign Intelligence Service (2006, 2007) | Motto: Meriți un președinte în serviciul tău! (You deserve a president in your service!) Affiliation: PLAN | Faculty of Geography-Geology, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest (1984) Intelligence officer | Considering the candidacy: 16 January 2024 [130] Intention: 23 March 2024 [131] Official: 7 September 2024 [132] BEC filing: 5 October 2024 [133] [125] BEC validation: 6 October 2024 [134] |
George Simion | 21 September 1986 (age 38) Focșani, Vrancea County | Deputy (2020–election day) | Motto: Președintele celor mulți (The president of the many) Affiliation: AUR | Faculty of Business and Administration, University of Bucharest (2008) Civic activist | Denied interest: 27 March 2022 [135] Considering the candidacy: 20 February 2024 [136] Denied interest: 24 February 2024 [137] Considering the candidacy: 7 April 2024 [138] Intention: 11 May 2024 [139] Official: 15 June 2024 [140] BEC filing: 30 September 2024 [141] [142] BEC validation: 30 September 2024 [143] CCR rejected validation challenge: 7 October 2024 [71] [72] Second round: Endorsing Călin Georgescu (25 November 2024) [55] |
Cristian Terheș | 4 December 1978 (age 45) Zalău, Sălaj County | MEP (2019–election day) | Motto: Credincios națiunii române (Faithful to Romanian nation) Affiliation: PNCR Endorsed by: FIN, PRR | Faculty of Greek-Catholic Theology, Babeș-Bolyai University (2000) Public Relations Certificate from Fullerton College (2013) Greek-Catholic priest | Considering the candidacy: 25 August 2024 [144] Intention: 31 August 2024 [145] Official: 1 September 2024 [146] BEC filing: 4 October 2024 [147] [148] BEC validation: 6 October 2024 [149] |
These individuals were part of the race in some way and their plans stopped. Some failed to file their bid to BEC, withdrew from the race, or recanted their interest in the presidential office. Here are also included candidates who are no longer in the race due to their bid being rejected by BEC, or whose bid or candidacy were legally barred by the CCR, and a candidate that withdrew during the electoral campaign and announced his endorsement to another candidate, while his name remained on the ballot.
Name | Born | Public Office Experience | Affiliation and endorsement | Alma mater and profession | Former candidacy Announcement dates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cristian Badea | (age 41) undisclosed birthplace | Affiliation: New Romania Party | Faculty of Law, West University of Timișoara (2012) Jurist | Intention: 2 April 2024 [150] Lost party primaries: 20 April 2024 Endorsing Sebastian Popescu, after he became party nominee: 20 April 2024 | |
John Ion Banu Muscel | 8 July 1960 (age 64) Roman, Neamț County | Former presidential elections: 2019: 0.30% (14th place, last) | Affiliation: Romanian Nation Party | Politehnica University of Bucharest mechanical engineer | Official: 13 April 2024 [151] Last campaign message: 27 August 2024 [152] (post-factum withdrawal confirmed on: 27 October 2024 and switching to run as independent for Parliament as deputy of Argeș County) [153] |
Dan Barna | 10 July 1975 (age 49) Sibiu, Sibiu County | Deputy (2016–election day) Deputy Prime Minister (2020–2021) Secretary of State with the Ministry of European Funds (2016) Former presidential elections: 2019: 15.02% (3rd place) | Affiliation: USR | Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest (1998) Lawyer | Considering the candidacy: 17 April 2021 [154] Failed to file his bid to party primaries: 27 June 2024 [155] Endorsing Elena Lasconi, after she became party nominee: 29 June 2024 |
Florin Bădiță-Nistor | 26 May 1988 (age 36) Bucharest | Affiliation: none | Faculty of Psychology, Titu Maiorescu University (2010) Civic activist | Considering: 24 July 2024 [156] Intention: 6 August 2024 [157] Failed to file his bid to BEC: 5 October 2024 (post-factum withdrawal confirmed on: 24 October 2024) [158] Endorsing: Elena Lasconi (14 November 2024) [159] | |
Octavian Berceanu | 15 July 1976 (age 48) Bucharest | Senior Non-Key Expert on Afforestation at European Union High-Level Advisors' Mission to the Republic of Moldova (2023-election day) Chief Commissioner of National Guard for the Environmental Protection (2021) General Counsellor of Bucharest (2017–2020) Local Counsellor of Sector 6 (Bucharest) (2016–2017) | Affiliation: Save Romania Union | Faculty of Forestry, Transilvania University of Brașov (1999) Environmental specialist | Intention: 27 June 2024 [160] Lost party primaries: 29 June 2024 [161] Endorsing Elena Lasconi, after she became party nominee: 29 June 2024 |
Florin Călinescu | 29 April 1956 (age 68) Timișoara, Timiș County | Affiliation: PDU | Caragiale National University of Theatre and Film (1979 or 1980) Actor | Intention: 27 February 2024 [162] Failed to file his bid to BEC: 5 October 2024 (post-factum withdrawal confirmed on: 30 October 2024) [163] | |
Remus Cernea | 25 June 1974 (age 50) Bucharest | Deputy (2012–2016) Former presidential elections: 2009: 0.62% (8th place) | Affiliation: none | Faculty of Philosophy, University of Bucharest (2002) Civic activist | Intention: 22 February 2022 [164] Considering: 28 August 2024 [165] Failed to file his bid to BEC: 5 October 2024 Endorsing Kelemen Hunor: 12 October 2024 [166] |
Dacian Cioloș | 27 July 1969 (age 55) Zalău, Sălaj County | MEP (2019–2024) Prime Minister of Romania (2015–2017) European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development (2010–2014) Minister of Agriculture (2007–2008) Ministerial advisor with the Ministry of Agriculture (2005–2007) SAPARD implementation manager with the Representation of the European Commission in Romania (2002–2003) | Affiliation: REPER | Faculty of Horticulture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca (1994) Horticultural engineer | Considering the candidacy (within USR): 18 February 2021 [167] Resigned from USR: 31 May 2022 [168] Considering the candidacy (within REPER): 24 February 2023 [169] Recanted interest for public office: 26 June 2024 [170] Formerly Endorsing: Elena Lasconi, Nicolae Ciucă and Ludovic Orban (16–18 November 2024) Elena Lasconi and Nicolae Ciucă (18–21 November 2024) [171] Endorsing: Elena Lasconi (21 November 2024) [172] |
Răzvan Constantinescu | 12 July 1967 (age 57) Roman, Neamț County | Affiliation: PPR | Faculty of General Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași (1992) Gastroenterologist | Intention: 28 March 2024 [173] Official: 1 July 2024 [174] BEC filing: 5 October 2024 [125] BEC rejection: 6 October 2024 [175] Valid signatures: 109.141/200.000 CCR appeal: 6 October 2024 CCR rejection: 7 October 2024 [71] [176] First round: Null vote (11 November 2024) [177] | |
Brîndușa Covaci | (undisclosed age) undisclosed birthplace | Affiliation: none | undisclosed education undisclosed profession | BEC filing (incomplete and overdue by choice): 9 October 2024 (deadline: 5 October 2024) BEC rejection: 10 October 2024 [178] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 | |
Miron Cozma | 25 August 1954 (age 70) Derna, Bihor County | Affiliation: none | Faculty of Mining Equipment, University of Petroșani (1977) mining engineer | BEC filing (incomplete by choice): 1 October 2024 [179] BEC rejection: 3 October 2024 [180] [181] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 CCR appeal: 4 October 2024 CCR rejection: 5 October 2024 [182] [99] [183] | |
Oana Crețu | 2 December 1975 (age 48) Bucharest | Affiliation: PSDU | Faculty of Law, Romanian-American University (1999) Lawyer | BEC filing (incomplete by choice): 5 October 2024 [125] BEC rejection: 6 October 2024 [184] Valid signatures: 24.060/200.000 Endorsing: Nicolae Ciucă (19 November 2024) [185] | |
Cătălin Drulă [186] | 2 May 1981 (age 43) Bucharest | Deputy (2016–election day) Minister of Transport and Infrastructure (2020–2021) | Affiliation: USR | Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto (2002) Software Engineer | Considering the candidacy: 5 September 2023 [187] Recanted interest: 10 June 2024 [188] Endorsing Elena Lasconi, after she became party nominee: 29 June 2024 |
Anamaria Gavrilă | 15 October 1983 (age 41) Deva, Hunedoara County | Deputy (2020–election day) | Affiliation: POT | Faculty of Economy and Business Administration, West University of Timișoara (2007) Economist | Official: 30 August 2024 [189] [190] Last campaign message: 23 September 2024 (campaign suspension reveals de facto withdrawal) [191] Endorsing Călin Georgescu: 14 November 2024 [192] |
Gheorghe Ghelcea | (undisclosed age) undisclosed birthplace (possible Drăgășani, Vâlcea County) | Affiliation: none | "Marin Sorescu" Art High-School, Craiova (undisclosed year) undisclosed profession | BEC filing (incomplete by choice): 4 October 2024 BEC rejection: 6 October 2024 [193] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 CCR appeal: 14 October 2024 CCR rejection: 15 October 2024 [194] [195] | |
Andi Grosaru | 4 December 1976 (age 47) Iași, Iași County | Deputy (2016–election day) Administrator RAAPPS-Suceava County (2000–2001) | Affiliation: RO.AS.IT | Faculty of Economy, Università degli Studi di Torino (2004) Police Academy „Alexandru Ioan Cuza" (2005) Faculty of Economic Sciences and Public Administration, Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava (2006) Economist | Intention: 28 March 2023 [196] Official: 12 August 2024 [197] Last campaign message: 18 September 2024 [198] (campaign suspension reveals de facto withdrawal) |
Cozmin Gușă | 2 July 1970 (age 54) Câmpia Turzii, Cluj County | Deputy (2004–2008) | Affiliation: none Endorsed by: RoSAT [199] | Faculty of Physics, Babeș-Bolyai University (1994) Physicist | Intention: 18 April 2024 [200] Official: 7 May 2024 [201] Withdrawal: 22 August 2024 [202] |
Maria Marcu | (undisclosed age) undisclosed birthplace | Affiliation: none | undisclosed education undisclosed profession | BEC filing (incomplete by choice): 5 October 2024 BEC rejection: 6 October 2024 [203] Valid signatures: 1/200.000 CCR appeal: 6 October 2024 CCR rejection: 7 October 2024 [71] [204] | |
Andrei Marga [205] | 22 May 1946 (age 78) Bucharest | Minister of Foreign Affairs (2012) Minister of National Education (1997–2000) | Affiliation: none [206] | Faculty of Philosophy, Babeș-Bolyai University (1971) Philosopher | Considering the candidacy: 18 October 2022 [207] Recanted interest: 1 August 2024 [208] |
Ciprian Mega | 24 July 1985 (age 39) Adjud, Vrancea County [209] | Affiliation: none | Faculty of Theology "Andrei Șaguna" , Sibiu (2009) Orthodox priest | BEC filing: 5 October 2024 [125] BEC rejection: 6 October 2024 [210] Valid signatures: 176.493/200.000 CCR appeal: 6 October 2024 CCR rejection: 7 October 2024 [71] [211] | |
Petru Mîndru | (undisclosed age) Sărmaș, Harghita County | Affiliation: "Our Romania" Party | Faculty of Geography, Babeș-Bolyai University (undisclosed year) Military | BEC filing (incomplete by choice): 5 October 2024 BEC rejection: 6 October 2024 [212] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 CCR appeal: 8 October 2024 CCR rejection: 8 October 2024 [213] [214] | |
Doina Noghin | born 1945 (age 79) Abrud, Alba County | Affiliation: none | undisclosed education chemist | Official: before 29 July 2004 [215] BEC filing (incomplete and overdue by choice): 22 October 2024 (deadline: 5 October 2024) BEC rejection: 24 October 2024 [216] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 CCR appeal: 29 October 2024 CCR rejection: 29 October 2024 [217] | |
Ludovic Orban | 25 May 1963 (age 61) Brașov, Brașov County | Deputy (2008–2016; 2020–election day) President of the Chamber of Deputies (2020–2021) Prime Minister of Romania (2019–2020) Minister of Transport (2007–2008) Deputy Mayor of Bucharest (2004–2007) Secretary of State with the Public Servants Agency (2000–2001) Secretary of State with Public Information Department (1999–2000) General Secretary with Disabled Persons Directorate (1998–1999) Communications Director with Energy Policies Agency (1997–1998) Local counselor, Sector 1, Bucharest (1996–1997) Local counselor, Sector 3, Bucharest (1992–1996) | Motto: Cinstit cu românii (Honest with Romanians) Affiliation: FD Endorsed by: PMP, AD, PNȚ-MM | Faculty of Industrial Machinery Technology, Transilvania University of Brașov (1988) Technological engineer | Considering the candidacy within PNL: 22 May 2021 [218] Resigned from PNL: 23 November 2021 [219] Considering the candidacy within FD: 14 December 2021 [220] Intention: 29 April 2022 [221] Withdrawal: 2 September 2024 [222] Official: 16 September 2024 [223] BEC filing: 5 October 2024 [224] [225] CCR rejected bid challenge: 5 October 2024 [83] [226] BEC validation: 6 October 2024 [227] CCR rejected validation challenge: 7 October 2024 [71] [72] Withdrawal: 18 November 2024 [228] (due to his late withdrawal, during electoral campaign, his name will still be on the ballot and received votes will be counted as his) Endorsing: Elena Lasconi (18 November 2024) |
Aurelian Pavelescu | 20 October 1964 (age 60) Lădești, Vâlcea County | Deputy (2004–2008) | Affiliation: PNȚCD | Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest (1997) Faculty of Letters, University of Bucharest (1989) Lawyer | Intention: 14 June 2024 [229] Official: 15 June 2024 [230] Failed to file his bid to BEC: 5 October 2024 First public message that does not mention his presidential bid (de facto Withdrawal confirmation): 9 October 2024 [231] |
Victor Ponta | 20 September 1972 (age 52) Bucharest | Deputy (2004–2020) Prime Minister of Romania (2012–2015) Minister of Parliamentary Relations (2008–2009) Minister-Delegate for Control of International Grant Programmes Implementation and for Monitoring the Application of the Acquis Communautaire (2004) Head of the Government's Control Department (2001–2004) Head of the Bureau for Combating Money Laundering (2000–2001) Former presidential elections: 2014: 40.40% (1st place, 1st round), 45.60% (2nd place, 2nd round) | Affiliation: PRO Romania | Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest (1995) Prosecutor | Considering the candidacy: 27 May 2020 [232] Recanted interest: 5 September 2023 [233] Endorsing Marcel Ciolacu: 25 October 2024 [234] |
Ion Popa | (undisclosed age) undisclosed birthplace | Affiliation: none | undisclosed education undisclosed profession | BEC filing (incomplete by choice): 4 October 2024 BEC rejection: 6 October 2024 [235] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 CCR appeal: 10 October 2024 CCR rejection: 14 October 2024 [89] [236] | |
Valerian Stan | 4 May 1955 (age 69) Sascut, Bacău County | Chief of Government's Control Department (1996–1997) | Affiliation: PNȚ-MM | Nicolae Bălcescu Land Forces Academy (1977) Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest (1987) Human rights activist, Military | Intention: 22 July 2024 [237] Official: 3 August 2024 [238] Withdrawn by his party: 3 October 2024 [239] Excluded from party: 6 October 2024 and party leadership endorsing Ludovic Orban in the first round [240] First round: Boycott (22 October 2024) [241] |
Dumitru Stanca | (age 59) undisclosed birthplace | Affiliation: Save Romania Union | undisclosed studies Military | Intention: 27 June 2024 [242] Lost party primaries: 29 June 2024 [161] Endorsing Elena Lasconi, after she became party nominee: 29 June 2024 | |
Diana Iovanovici Șoșoacă | 13 November 1975 (age 49) Bucharest | MEP (2024-election day) Senator (2020–2024) | Affiliation: S.O.S. [243] | Faculty of Law, Romanian-American University (possible), undisclosed promotion year [244] Lawyer | Denied interest: 17 February 2021 [245] Considering the candidacy: 15 December 2021 [246] Official: 24 June 2024 [247] First BEC filing: 3 October 2024 [248] [249] BEC validation: 3 October 2024 [250] Bid challenged at CCR: 3 October 2024 [99] First CCR rejection: 5 October 2024 [251] [99] Second BEC filing: 5 October 2024 [252] Final BEC rejection: 6 October 2024 [253] First CCR appeal: 6 October 2024 Second CCR rejection: 7 October 2024 [71] [254] Second CCR appeal: 7 October 2024 Third CCR rejection: 8 October 2024 [213] [255] Third CCR appeal: 11 October 2024 Final CCR rejection: 14 October 2024 [89] [256] First round: Null vote [257] |
Eugen Teodorovici | 12 August 1971 (age 53) Bucharest | Senator (2012–2020) Minister of Finance (2015, 2018–2019) Minister of European Funds (2012–2015) | Affiliation: BSR | Faculty of Commerce, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest (1997) Economist | Considering: 6 February 2023 [258] Intention: 26 November 2023 [259] Failure to file bid to BEC (de facto Withdrawal) confirmed on: 5 October 2024 [260] Endorsing: Marcel Ciolacu (8 November 2024) [261] Endorsing: Călin Georgescu (17 November 2024) [262] |
Cristina Tufănoiu | (undisclosed age) undisclosed birthplace | Affiliation: none | undisclosed education undisclosed profession | BEC filing (incomplete by choice): 4 October 2024 BEC rejection: 6 October 2024 [263] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 CCR appeal: 8 October 2024 CCR rejection: 8 October 2024 [213] [264] | |
Elena Tufecciu | (undisclosed age, possible 37) possible birthplace: Tulcea, Tulcea County | Affiliation: AUR (claimed) | Faculty of Banking and Finance Spiru Haret University (2008) Fashionista | BEC filing (incomplete by choice): 4 October 2024 BEC rejection: 6 October 2024 [265] Valid signatures: 0/200.000 | |
Oana Zăvoranu | 16 June 1973 (age 51) Bucharest | Affiliation: none | Faculty of Law, Titu Maiorescu University (2000) [266] Actress, singer, TV personality | Considering the candidacy: 30 March 2022 [267] Recanted interest: 17 October 2023 [268] | |
Silviu Zetea | 6 March 1961 (age 63) Seini, Maramureș County | Mayor of Medieșu Aurit, Satu Mare County (2012–2016) Local counsellor Medieșu Aurit, Satu Mare County (2000–2012) Vice-mayor Medieșu Aurit, Satu Mare County (1996–2000) | Affiliation: none | Mining Engineering Dept., Faculty of Technics, Elevated Education Institute, Baia Mare (1984) Faculty of Marketing, Vasile Goldiș Western University of Arad, Baia Mare branch (2009) Master Distiller | Considering the candidacy: 25 September 2021 [269] Intention: 25 March 2023 [270] Official: 17 June 2024 [271] Failed to file his bid to BEC: 5 October 2024 (post-factum withdrawal confirmed on: 7 October 2024) [272] |
These individuals have been the subject of speculation, but have publicly denied their interest in running for president. Here are also included individuals legally barred from running for president.
Name | Born | Public Office Experience | Affiliation | Alma mater and profession | Candidacy related info |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Emil Boc [273] [274] | 6 September 1966 (age 58) Răchiţele, Cluj County | Mayor of Cluj-Napoca (2004–2008, 2012–election day) Prime Minister of Romania (2008–2012) Deputy (2000–2004) | Affiliation: PNL | Faculty of Law, Babeș-Bolyai University (1995) Faculty of History and Philosophy, Babeș-Bolyai University (1991) Lawyer | Denied interest: 28 December 2023 [275] Endorsing Nicolae Ciucă, after he became party nominee: 15 September 2024 |
Rareș Bogdan [276] | 17 September 1974 (age 50) Ocna Mureș, Alba County | MEP (2019–election day) | Affiliation: PNL | Faculty of Administrative and Political Sciences, Babeș-Bolyai University (1997) Journalist | Denied interest: 3 July 2022 [277] Endorsing Nicolae Ciucă, after he became party nominee: 15 September 2024 |
Cătălin Cîrstoiu | 18 November 1974 (age 50) Pitești, Argeș County | Affiliation: none | Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (1999) Orthopedic physician | Denied interest: 9 May 2024 [278] | |
Florin Cîțu | 1 April 1972 (age 52) Râmnicu Vâlcea, Vâlcea County | Senator (2016–election day) President of the Senate of Romania (2021–2022) Prime Minister of Romania (2020–2021) Minister of Public Finance (2019–2020) | Affiliation: PNL | Grinnell College (1996) Economist | Denied interest: 25 June 2021 [279] Endorsing Nicolae Ciucă, after he became party nominee: 15 September 2024 |
Viorica Dăncilă | 16 December 1963 (age 60) Roșiorii de Vede, Teleorman County | Prime Minister of Romania (2018–2019) MEP (2009–2018) Former presidential elections: 2019: 22.3% (2nd place, 1st round), 33.91% (2nd place, 2nd round) | Affiliation: PNCR | Faculty of Drilling of Wells and Exploitation of Hydrocarbon Deposits, Petroleum and Gas University, Ploiești (1988) Oil engineer, petroleum technology teacher [280] | Denied interest: 12 September 2024 [281] Endorsing Cristian Terheș: 12 September 2024 |
Vasile Dîncu [276] | 25 November 1961 (age 63) Năsăud, Bistrița-Năsăud County | Senator (2004–2007, 2020–election day) Minister of Defence (2021–2022) Minister of Regional Development and Public Administration and Deputy Prime Minister (2015–2017) MEP (2007) Minister of Public Information (2000–2003) | Affiliation: PSD | Faculty of History and Philosophy, Babeș-Bolyai University (1989) Sociologist | Denied interest: 30 April 2022 [282] Endorsing Marcel Ciolacu, after he became party nominee: 24 August 2024 |
Liviu Dragnea | 28 October 1962 (age 62) Gratia, Teleorman County | President of the Chamber of Deputies (2016–2019) Deputy (2012–2019) Minister of Regional Development and Administration (2012–2015) Deputy Prime Minister of Romania (2012–2014) President of Teleorman County Council (2000–2009, 2012) Minister of Administration of the Interior (2009) Prefect of Teleorman County (1996–2000) | Affiliation: none (political rights judicially suspended between 29 May 2019 – 15 July 2024) [283] Most probable affiliation (after the political rights reinstatement): MRS [284] | Faculty of Management and Public Administration, Ecological University of Bucharest (2003) Faculty of Transport, Politehnica University of Bucharest (1987) Transport engineer, innkeeper | Legally barred: 4 July 2022 [285] Endorsing: Nicolae Ciucă (21 November 2024) [286] |
Sorin Grindeanu | 5 December 1973 (age 51) Caransebeș, Caraș-Severin County | Minister of Transport (2021–election day) Deputy (2012–2016, 2020–election day) Deputy Prime Minister of Romania (2021–2023) Prime Minister of Romania (2017) President of the Timiș County Council (2016–2017) Minister of Communications (2014–2015) Deputy Mayor of Timișoara (2008–2012) Local Counsellor of Timișoara (2004–2008) | Affiliation: PSD | Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, West University of Timișoara (1997) Statistician | Denied interest: 20 April 2022 [287] Endorsing Marcel Ciolacu, after he became party nominee: 24 August 2024 |
Eduard Hellvig | 27 October 1974 (age 50) Zalău, Sălaj County | Director of the Romanian Intelligence Service (2015–2023) MEP (2007, 2013–2015) Minister of Regional Development and Tourism (2012) | Affiliation: none Most probable endorsement: PNL [288] | National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (2009) Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences, Babeș-Bolyai University (1997) Political scientist, journalist | Denied interest: 8 February 2024 [289] |
Laura Codruța Kövesi [290] | 15 May 1973 (age 51) Sfântu Gheorghe, Covasna County | European Chief Prosecutor (2019–election day) Chief Prosecutor of the National Anticorruption Directorate (2013–2018) Prosecutor General of Romania (2006–2012) | Affiliation: none | Faculty of Law, Babeș-Bolyai University (1995) Prosecutor | Denied interest: 13 July 2022 [291] |
Daniel Morar | 15 August 1966 (age 58) Luduș, Mureș County | Supreme judge on the Constitutional Court of Romania (2013–election day) Chief Prosecutor of the National Anticorruption Directorate (2005–2013) | Affiliation: none | Faculty of Law, Babeș-Bolyai University (1990) Prosecutor | Denied interest for public office: 19 December 2022 [292] |
Adrian Năstase | 22 June 1950 (age 74) Bucharest | Deputy (1990, 1992–2012) President of the Chamber of Deputies (1992–1996, 2004–2006) Prime Minister of Romania (2000–2004) Minister of Foreign Affairs (1990–1992)
| Affiliation: none (former: PSD; political rights were suspended between 20 June 2012 – 21 December 2021) [293] | Faculty of Sociological Studies, University of Bucharest (1978) Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest (1973) Jurist | Denied interest: 6 January 2021 [294] Legally barred: 4 July 2022 [285] |
Ioan-Aurel Pop | 1 January 1955 (age 69) Sântioana, Cluj County | President of the Romanian Academy (2018–election day) | Affiliation: none | Faculty of History and Philosophy, Babeș-Bolyai University (1979) History professor | Denied interest: 4 February 2022 [295] |
Cristian Popescu Piedone | 15 February 1963 (age 61) Bucharest | Mayor of Sector 5 (2020–election day) Mayor of Sector 4 (2008–2015) | Affiliation: PUSL | University of Petroșani (2002) Maître d'hôtel | Denied interest: 18 August 2023 [296] |
Dan Puric | 12 February 1959 (age 65) Buzău, Buzău County | Affiliation: none Probable endorsement: PUSL [297] | Caragiale National University of Theatre and Film (1985) Actor, mime artist | Denied interest: 20 February 2024 [298] | |
Alexandru Rafila | 27 December 1961 (age 62) Bucharest | Health Minister (2021–election day) Deputy (2020–election day) | Affiliation: PSD | Faculty of General Practitioners, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest (1987) Microbiologist | Denied interest: 28 June 2022 [299] Endorsing Marcel Ciolacu, after he became party nominee: 24 August 2024 |
Maia Sandu | 24 May 1972 (age 52) Risipeni, Fălești District, Republic of Moldova | President of Moldova (2020–election day) Prime Minister of Moldova (2019) Deputy, Moldova (2014–2015, 2019) Minister of Education, Moldova (2012–2015) | Affiliation: PAS (in Moldova); none (in Romania) | Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (1994) Faculty of International Relations, Academy of Public Administration Economist | [300] [301] [302] [303] [304] Denied interest: 16 February 2023 [305] |
Validated candidate | |
During CCR screening | |
During BEC screening | |
Official campaign before BEC filing | |
Intention | |
Considering | |
Withdrawn candidate | |
Second round | |
First round | |
BEC filing deadline | |
2024 European elections and 2024 Local elections | |
2020 Parliamentary elections | |
2020 Local elections |
The role of Christianity and patriotism in Romanian public life has become a leading issue in the campaign. Often both supported and mocked as "The TikTok Messiah" for his religious nationalist messaging and use of the app TikTok, Georgescu has gained appeal among religious Romanians, appealing to natalism, family values, patriotism, and traditionalism. [306] [307]
Both Călin Georgescu and Elena Lasconi have criticized corruption in Romania, which has become central to their appeal. [308] Georgescu has accused the mainstream political parties, particularly the National Coalition for Romania between the center-left Social Democratic Party and the center-right National Liberal Party, of fostering corruption. [309]
Lasconi favors Romania closely aligning with the United States, European Union, and NATO, while opposing Russia, while Georgescu has stated that he favors Romania's geopolitical non-alignment between the two power blocs. [310] Georgescu has also pledged to end military aid to Ukraine. [311] Following the first round, Lasconi said that Romania was in "a historical confrontation between preserving Romania's young democracy ... and those who want to return Romania to the Russian sphere of influence". She also accused Georgescu of being an isolationist and an "open admirer of Vladimir Putin". Georgescu denied being an extremist or a fascist and said that he is "completely dedicated to the Romanian people", adding: "We remain directly linked to European values, but we must find our (own) values." [310]
LGBTQ rights are expected to be a major issue in the campaign. In the second round of the campaign, LGBTQ rights organizations have made strong endorsements for Lasconi, despite her past comments, while Georgescu explicitly rejects LGBTQ rights movements. [312] Lasconi's positions have become significantly favorable towards LGBTQ rights. Earlier in 2023, Lasconi stated that she would have voted "Yes" during the failed referendum on the constitutional prohibition of same-sex unions. Her daughter, Oana, subsequently denounced her as a "homophobe" and stated that she was "shocked and disgusted" at her mother. [313] Lasconi immediately retracted this position, stated that she does not oppose civil unions or (in the distant future) marriage for LGBTQ couples, while stating that her party remains open for individuals who are gender or sexual minorities, and that the party is open to all, "be they ... atheists [or] LGBTQ individuals". [312]
The debates [b] started on 28 October 2024, three days after the start of the campaign. The last first round debate was broadcast on 21 November 2024, 8:30 hours before the electoral campaign ended. There had been 38 broadcast debates: 30 televised, six on the radio and three online. The broadcasters were:
Debate | Date | Time (EET) | Viewers | Broadcast type | Location | Sponsor(s) | Moderator(s) | Reference(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 28 October 2024 | 10:00–10:55 am | TBA | live TV | Romanian Television HQ, Bucharest | TVR Info | Marinela Mititelu | [314] [315] |
2 | 29 October 2024 | 10:00–10:55 am | TBA | live TV | Romanian Television HQ, Bucharest | TVR Info | Marinela Mititelu | [316] [317] [318] [319] [320] [ excessive citations ] |
3 | 29 October 2024 | 1:20–2:00 pm | TBA | live radio | Radio Romania, Casa Radio, Bucharest | Radio România Actualități | Ianna Ioniță | [321] [322] [323] [324] [ excessive citations ] |
4 | 29 October 2024 | 9:00–10:00 pm | TBA | live TV | Romanian Television HQ, Bucharest | TVR Info | Ștefan Onică, Loara Ștefănescu | [325] [324] [326] |
5 | 30 October 2024 | 1:20–2:00 pm | TBA | live radio | Radio Romania, Casa Radio, Bucharest | Radio România Actualități | Ianna Ioniță | [327] [323] [328] |
6 | 30 October 2024 | 8:00–9:30 pm | TBA | live TV | A7 HQ, Bucharest | A7 TV | Flori Stoian | [329] [330] [327] [331] [ excessive citations ] |
7 | 31 October 2024 | 6:15–7:45 pm | TBA | live TV | Romanian Television HQ, Bucharest | TVR 1 | Ramona Avramescu, Marian Voicu | [332] [333] [334] |
8 | 31 October 2024 | 9:00–9:50 pm | TBA | live TV | Politehnica University of Bucharest | Euronews România | Vitalie Cojocari | [335] [336] [337] [338] [334] [ excessive citations ] |
9 | 31 October 2024 | 9:00–10:00 pm | TBA | live TV | Romanian Television HQ, Bucharest | TVR Info | Ștefan Onică, Loara Ștefănescu | [339] [340] [341] [ excessive citations ] |
10 | 1 November 2024 | 1:20–2:00 pm | TBA | live radio | Radio Romania, Casa Radio, Bucharest | Radio România Actualități | Ianna Ioniță | [323] [342] [343] |
11 | 3 November 2024 | 8:00–8:45 pm | TBA | live TV | House of the Free Press, Bucharest | România TV | Simona Gheorghe | [344] [345] [346] |
12 | 4 October 2024 | 9:00–9:50 pm | TBA | live TV | Romanian Television HQ, Bucharest | TVR Info | Ștefan Onică, Loara Ștefănescu | [347] [348] [349] [350] |
13 | 5 November 2024 | 1:20–2:00 pm | TBA | live radio | Radio Romania, Casa Radio, Bucharest | Radio România Actualități | Ianna Ioniță | [323] [351] |
14 | 5 October 2024 | 6:15–7:45 pm | TBA | live TV | Romanian Television HQ, Bucharest | TVR 1 | Marian Voicu | [352] [353] [354] |
15 | 6 November 2024 | 10:00–10:55 am | TBA | live TV | Romanian Television HQ, Bucharest | TVR Info | Marinela Mititelu | [355] [356] |
16 | 6 November 2024 | 3:05–3:50 pm | TBA | live TV | Digi24 HQ, Bucharest | Digi24 | Anca Orheian | [357] [358] [359] |
17 | 6 October 2024 | 7:00–8:00 pm | TBA | live TV | TVR Timișoara HQ, Timișoara | TVR Timișoara | Ramona Boroșovici | [360] [356] [361] |
18 | 6 November 2024 | 9:30–11:00 pm | 12.338 | video streaming | Gândul HQ, Bucharest | Gândul | Denise Rifai | [362] [363] [364] [365] [ excessive citations ] |
19 | 7 October 2024 | 7:00–8:00 pm | TBA | live TV | TVR Timișoara HQ, Timișoara | TVR Timișoara | Ramona Boroșovici | [366] [367] |
20 | 11 November 2024 | 4:00–4:40 pm | TBA | live TV | Politehnica University of Bucharest | Euronews România | Claudiu Popa | [368] [369] [370] |
21 | 12 November 2024 | 1:20–2:00 pm | TBA | live radio | Radio Romania, Casa Radio, Bucharest | Radio România Actualități | Ianna Ioniță | [323] [371] [372] |
22 | 12 November 2024 | 6:15–7:45 pm | TBA | live TV | Romanian Television HQ, Bucharest | TVR 1 | Ramona Avramescu, Marian Voicu | [373] [372] |
23 | 13 November 2024 | 9:00–10:00 pm | TBA | live TV | Digi24 HQ, Bucharest | Digi24 | Cosmin Prelipceanu, Liliana Ruse | [374] [375] [376] |
24 | 13 November 2024 | 9:00–11:00 pm | TBA | live TV | IRIDE Business Park, Bucharest | Antena 3 | Mihai Gâdea | [377] [378] [379] [380] [381] [382] [ excessive citations ] |
25 | 14 November 2024 | 9:00–10:00 pm | TBA | live TV | Digi24 HQ, Bucharest | Digi24 | Cosmin Prelipceanu, Liliana Ruse | [383] [384] [385] |
26 | 15 November 2024 | 9:00–11:45 pm | TBA | previously recorded TV transmission | Romanian Television HQ, Bucharest | TVR 1 (broadcast syndicated to: TVR Info, TVR Moldova and TVR International) | Ramona Avramescu, Marian Voicu | [386] [387] [388] [389] [390] [391] [392] [393] [394] [ excessive citations ] |
27 | 17 November 2024 | posted at 4:00 pm (2h long) | 51.606 | previously recorded video podcast | unspecified location, Bucharest | Ștefan Mandachi's video podcast | Ștefan Mandachi | [395] [396] |
28 | 17 November 2024 | 8:00–8:45 pm | approx. 439.000 [397] | live TV | House of the Free Press, Bucharest | România TV | Simona Gheorghe | [398] [399] [400] [401] [402] [ excessive citations ] |
29 | 17 November 2024 | 9:00–9:50 pm | TBA | live TV | Adriatica building, Bucharest | B1 TV | Gabriela Mihai | [403] [404] [405] |
30 | 18 November 2024 | 1:20–2:00 pm | TBA | live radio | Radio Romania, Casa Radio, Bucharest | Radio România Actualități | Ianna Ioniță | [406] [407] [323] [324] [408] [409] [ excessive citations ] |
31 | 18 November 2024 | 7:00–8:00 pm | TBA | live TV | TVR Timișoara HQ, Timișoara | TVR Timișoara | Ramona Boroșovici | [410] [408] |
32 | 18 November 2024 | 8:00–11:00 pm | 460.000 [411] | live TV | Digi24 HQ, Bucharest | Digi24, Babeș-Bolyai University | Cosmin Prelipceanu, Liliana Ruse | [412] [413] [414] [415] [416] [417] [418] [419] [420] [ excessive citations ] |
33 | 19 November 2024 | 6:15–7:45 pm | TBA | live TV | Romanian Television HQ, Bucharest | TVR 1 | Ramona Avramescu, Marian Voicu | [421] [422] [423] |
34 | 19 November 2024 | 9:00–9:50 pm | TBA | live TV | Adriatica building, Bucharest | B1 TV | Tudor Mușat | [424] [425] [426] |
35 | 20 November 2024 | 9:00–10:00 pm | TBA | live TV | Romanian Television HQ, Bucharest | TVR Info | Roxana Zamfirescu, Claudiu Lucaci | [427] [428] [429] |
36 | 20 November 2024 | 9:00–10:30 pm | TBA | live TV | House of the Free Press, Bucharest | Metropola TV | Radu Preda | [430] [431] [432] [433] [ excessive citations ] |
37 | 21 November 2024 | 2:00–5:00 pm | 267.638 | video streaming | unspecified location, Bucharest | Micutzu Standup Official | Cosmin Nedelcu | [434] [435] [436] |
38 | 21 November 2024 | 9:00–10:30 pm | TBA | live TV | House of the Free Press, Bucharest | Metropola TV | Radu Preda | [437] [438] |
The following is a table of participating candidates in each debate:
Candidate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P Present (on spot or through a video/audio live call) N Not invited/Invitation declined A Absent (Invitation accepted, but failed to show up or downgraded their presence to a representative) | Total | Interaction | Candidate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | ||||
Georgescu | P | N | N | N | P | P | P | N | N | N | N | P | N | N | P | N | P | N | N | N | P | N | P | N | N | P | N | N | N | P | P | N | P | N | P | N | N | N | 14 | 8/13 | Georgescu |
Lasconi | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | A | N | N | N | A | N | P | A | N | N | N | P | N | 2 | 5/13 | Lasconi |
Ciolacu | N | N | A | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | A | N | A | N | N | N | A | N | N | N | N | N | N | 0 | 0/13 | Ciolacu |
Simion | A | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | A | N | N | N | A | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | A | A | N | N | N | N | P | N | N | N | N | P | N | 2 | 5/13 | Simion |
Ciucă | N | A | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | A | N | N | N | N | N | A | N | N | N | N | N | N | A | N | A | N | N | N | A | N | N | N | N | N | N | 0 | 0/13 | Ciucă |
Geoană | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | A | A | N | N | N | N | P | N | N | N | N | N | N | 1 | 5/13 | Geoană |
Kelemen | N | N | P | P | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | A | N | N | N | A | N | N | N | N | A | N | N | N | P | N | P | N | N | N | N | N | N | 4 | 8/13 | Kelemen |
Diaconescu | N | N | N | P | N | N | A | N | N | N | P | N | A | N | N | P | N | P | N | N | N | A | N | P | N | P | P | P | N | N | N | P | N | N | N | N | N | N | 9 | 11/13 | Diaconescu |
Terheș | N | P | P | N | N | P | N | N | P | P | N | N | N | P | P | N | P | N | N | N | N | P | N | P | P | P | P | N | N | N | N | N | N | P | N | N | N | P | 15 | 8/13 | Terheș |
Birchall | N | N | N | N | N | N | P | P | A | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | P | N | P | P | N | P | P | P | P | N | N | N | P | N | N | N | P | N | N | P | 12 | 7/13 | Birchall |
Popescu | P | N | N | N | P | P | N | N | P | P | N | N | N | P | N | N | P | N | N | P | N | N | N | N | P | P | N | N | N | P | A | N | P | N | N | P | N | N | 13 | 8/13 | Popescu |
Păcuraru | N | P | N | N | A | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | P | N | N | N | N | N | P | N | N | N | P | N | N | P | N | N | P | N | N | N | N | P | N | P | N | N | 8 | 7/13 | Păcuraru |
Predoiu | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | P | P | N | N | N | N | N | A | P | N | N | A | N | N | P | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | P | N | N | 5 | 7/13 | Predoiu |
Orban | N | N | P | P | N | N | N | P | N | N | P | N | N | N | A | P | N | P | N | N | P | N | N | N | N | P | N | P | P | N | N | P | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 11/13 | Orban |
Electoral Coverage | 23.10 | 1.19 | 5.76 | 7.83 | 23.10 | 24.14 | 23.41 | 0.68 | 1.20 | 1.20 | 3.32 | 23.06 | 0.28 | 1.20 | 23.98 | 3.32 | 24.14 | 3.32 | 0.62 | 0.28 | 23.62 | 1.50 | 23.10 | 4.63 | 1.66 | 28.20 | 4.63 | 3.32 | 0.37 | 27.61 | 23.41 | 47.19 | 23.10 | 1.19 | 23.41 | 0.44 | 33.04 | 1.50 | — | — | Electoral Coverage |
The table below lists the political parties and other political organizations that supported any of the candidates in the first and second rounds of the presidential election.
Candidate | First round | Endorsement | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Marcel Ciolacu | 19.15% | Elena Lasconi [439] | ||
George Simion | 13.87% | Călin Georgescu [444] | ||
Nicolae Ciucă | 8.79% | Elena Lasconi [484] | ||
Mircea Geoană | 6.32% | Elena Lasconi [485] | ||
Hunor Kelemen | 4.50% | Elena Lasconi [474] | ||
Cristian Diaconescu | 3.10% | Elena Lasconi [486] | ||
Cristian Terheș | 1.04% | No endorsement | ||
Ana Birchall | 0.46% | No endorsement | ||
Ludovic Orban [e] | 0.22% | Elena Lasconi [447] | ||
Sebastian Popescu | 0.16% | No endorsement [470] | ||
Alexandra Păcuraru | 0.16% | Călin Georgescu [469] | ||
Silviu Predoiu | 0.12% | No endorsement [458] |
Recently reelected Moldovan president Maia Sandu, who is also a Romanian citizen, announced her support for Elena Lasconi in the second round of the election. [487] Georgian president Salome Zourabichvili also expressed support for Lasconi, just like French President Emmanuel Macron. [488] [489] Răzvan Burleanu, the president of the Romanian Football Federation, urged fans to support "European values". [490] The Romanian Orthodox Church said it supported Romania's membership in the European Union. [491]
The results of the first round of voting were widely described as a shock, with both second round contenders Călin Georgescu and Elena Lasconi outperforming polling expectations. [10] [11] The underwhelming performance of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu led to the first presidential election in the history of post-communist Romania in which the Social Democratic candidate did not make it to the second round of voting. The National Liberals marked their worst ever result in a presidential race, as Nicolae Ciucă ended up in fifth place with 8.79% of the vote. Right-wing populist George Simion also registered a weak result, after it was widely speculated he would advance to the second round in December. [492]
Turnout was higher than in 2019, with 9,465,257 Romanians showing up to the polls, representing 52.56% of the eligible electorate.
County | Georgescu | Lasconi | Ciolacu | Simion | Ciucă | Geoană | Kelemen | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | |
Alba | 33,534 | 21.88% | 21,669 | 14.14% | 24,175 | 15.77% | 24,473 | 15.97% | 28,191 | 18.39% | 8,214 | 5.36% | 4,326 | 2.82% |
Arad | 39,940 | 23.29% | 25,016 | 14.58% | 25,522 | 14.88% | 29,571 | 17.24% | 22,701 | 13.23% | 8,896 | 5.18% | 8,525 | 4.97% |
Argeș | 66,494 | 24.84% | 48,253 | 18.03% | 66,229 | 24.74% | 38,932 | 14.54% | 20,304 | 7.58% | 14,977 | 5.59% | 411 | 0.15% |
Bacău | 55,255 | 23.35% | 39,126 | 16.53% | 58,805 | 24.85% | 37,376 | 15.79% | 15,163 | 6.40% | 15,756 | 6.66% | 2,203 | 0.93% |
Bihor | 40,789 | 16.81% | 30,266 | 12.47% | 40,761 | 16.80% | 28,309 | 11.66% | 36,745 | 15.14% | 10,077 | 4.15% | 43,959 | 18.12% |
Bistrița-Năsăud | 28,413 | 25.44% | 14,655 | 13.12% | 25,474 | 22.81% | 15,366 | 13.76% | 11,412 | 10.21% | 6,785 | 6.07% | 3,889 | 3.48% |
Botoșani | 37,249 | 25.75% | 14,812 | 10.24% | 40,057 | 27.69% | 23,391 | 16.17% | 12,834 | 8.87% | 9,282 | 6.41% | 384 | 0.26% |
Brașov | 55,057 | 20.71% | 70,209 | 26.41% | 39,270 | 14.77% | 31,273 | 11.76% | 19,502 | 7.33% | 22,750 | 8.55% | 9,896 | 3.72% |
Brăila | 32,360 | 26.33% | 14,347 | 11.67% | 33,877 | 27.57% | 18,512 | 15.06% | 10,387 | 8.45% | 6,756 | 5.49% | 431 | 0.35% |
Bucharest | 132,656 | 14.54% | 326,844 | 35.82% | 135,374 | 14.83% | 91,020 | 9.97% | 60,415 | 6.62% | 94,500 | 10.36% | 4,180 | 0.46% |
Buzău | 40,176 | 22.31% | 18,824 | 10.45% | 72,892 | 40.49% | 23,222 | 12.90% | 9,865 | 5.48% | 7,952 | 4.41% | 307 | 0.17% |
Caraș-Severin | 22,300 | 22.10% | 12,667 | 12.55% | 27,112 | 26.87% | 17,285 | 17.13% | 10,368 | 10.27% | 4,869 | 4.82% | 842 | 0.83% |
Călărași | 28,189 | 26.16% | 11,951 | 11.09% | 27,969 | 25.96% | 17,868 | 16.58% | 12,136 | 11.26% | 4,929 | 4.57% | 372 | 0.34% |
Cluj | 53,461 | 15.36% | 105,733 | 30.38% | 36,734 | 10.55% | 37,654 | 10.82% | 33,239 | 9.55% | 28,028 | 8.05% | 31,315 | 9.00% |
Constanța | 78,723 | 26.50% | 57,768 | 19.44% | 49,743 | 16.74% | 43,236 | 14.55% | 24,944 | 8.39% | 22,777 | 7.66% | 824 | 0.27% |
Covasna | 5,530 | 7.26% | 4,730 | 6.21% | 4,876 | 6.40% | 4,191 | 5.50% | 1,772 | 2.32% | 1,418 | 1.86% | 52,078 | 68.39% |
Dâmbovița | 53,482 | 26.03% | 27,951 | 13.60% | 56,694 | 27.59% | 31,075 | 15.12% | 15,767 | 7.67% | 10,913 | 5.31% | 365 | 0.17% |
Dolj | 48,124 | 17.92% | 35,472 | 13.20% | 81,714 | 30.42% | 42,785 | 15.93% | 32,297 | 12.02% | 18,288 | 6.81% | 394 | 0.14% |
Galați | 47,675 | 22.11% | 32,538 | 15.09% | 57,928 | 26.87% | 34,645 | 16.07% | 15,784 | 7.32% | 14,109 | 6.54% | 626 | 0.29% |
Giurgiu | 26,461 | 22.97% | 10,680 | 9.27% | 23,522 | 20.42% | 15,451 | 13.41% | 30,573 | 26.54% | 4,708 | 4.08% | 184 | 0.15% |
Gorj | 32,981 | 23.44% | 14,955 | 10.63% | 36,836 | 26.18% | 31,206 | 22.18% | 12,200 | 8.67% | 6,798 | 4.83% | 574 | 0.40% |
Harghita | 4,114 | 3.49% | 4,195 | 3.56% | 4,346 | 3.69% | 3,183 | 2.70% | 1,600 | 1.35% | 1,480 | 1.25% | 97,290 | 82.65% |
Hunedoara | 37,117 | 22.34% | 24,283 | 14.61% | 36,706 | 22.09% | 30,973 | 18.64% | 13,626 | 8.20% | 9,926 | 5.97% | 3,330 | 2.00% |
Ialomița | 25,171 | 27.06% | 11,701 | 12.58% | 25,665 | 27.59% | 16,324 | 17.55% | 5,078 | 5.45% | 4,806 | 5.16% | 332 | 0.35% |
Iași | 75,455 | 22.01% | 84,440 | 24.63% | 63,281 | 18.46% | 43,866 | 12.79% | 29,466 | 8.59% | 26,679 | 7.78% | 855 | 0.24% |
Ilfov | 61,895 | 23.56% | 67,229 | 25.59% | 33,977 | 12.93% | 32,759 | 12.47% | 30,242 | 11.51% | 21,977 | 8.36% | 739 | 0.28% |
Maramureș | 37,158 | 22.63% | 27,812 | 16.94% | 31,144 | 18.97% | 26,173 | 15.94% | 15,637 | 9.52% | 9,551 | 5.81% | 7,437 | 4.53% |
Mehedinți | 17,454 | 15.43% | 8,039 | 7.11% | 40,466 | 35.79% | 18,524 | 16.38% | 21,062 | 18.62% | 4,012 | 3.54% | 264 | 0.23% |
Mureș | 31,201 | 14.70% | 29,076 | 13.70% | 27,355 | 12.89% | 26,370 | 12.43% | 14,761 | 6.95% | 10,438 | 4.92% | 64,928 | 30.60% |
Neamț | 45,065 | 24.24% | 28,682 | 15.43% | 43,790 | 23.55% | 30,760 | 16.54% | 15,399 | 8.28% | 11,010 | 5.92% | 857 | 0.46% |
Olt | 29,832 | 21.79% | 15,676 | 8.57% | 71,054 | 38.88% | 27,137 | 14.85% | 15,512 | 8.48% | 7,819 | 4.27% | 213 | 0.11% |
Prahova | 82,268 | 26.03% | 57,504 | 18.19% | 61,709 | 19.52% | 45,880 | 14.51% | 26,447 | 8.36% | 21,980 | 6.95% | 778 | 0.24% |
Satu Mare | 15,606 | 13.28% | 12,810 | 10.90% | 17,545 | 14.93% | 12,749 | 10.85% | 10,536 | 8.96% | 4,545 | 3.86% | 39,640 | 33.73% |
Sălaj | 15,311 | 16.48% | 11,648 | 12.53% | 14,575 | 15.68% | 10,814 | 11.64% | 12,823 | 13.80% | 4,392 | 4.72% | 18,573 | 19.99% |
Sibiu | 47,770 | 26.34% | 42,755 | 23.58% | 21,650 | 11.94% | 21,129 | 11.65% | 19,453 | 10.73% | 12,780 | 7.04% | 2,320 | 1.27% |
Suceava | 72,752 | 28.47% | 28,815 | 11.27% | 58,344 | 22.83% | 44,675 | 17.48% | 22,255 | 8.71% | 14,019 | 5.48% | 856 | 0.33% |
Teleorman | 25,839 | 18.60% | 11,306 | 8.13% | 53,430 | 38.46% | 20,243 | 14.57% | 17,866 | 12.86% | 5,404 | 3.89% | 155 | 0.11% |
Timiș | 66,016 | 21.37% | 87,726 | 28.40% | 42,865 | 13.87% | 42,935 | 13.90% | 21,007 | 6.80% | 22,988 | 7.44% | 5,596 | 1.81% |
Tulcea | 21,185 | 26.89% | 10,741 | 13.63% | 16,537 | 20.99% | 15,545 | 19.73% | 5,722 | 7.26% | 4,523 | 5.74% | 216 | 0.27% |
Vaslui | 32,352 | 23.06% | 18,645 | 13.29% | 42,503 | 30.30% | 23,461 | 16.72% | 8,857 | 6.31% | 7,265 | 5.18% | 464 | 0.33% |
Vâlcea | 34,484 | 22.76% | 18,695 | 12.34% | 39,397 | 26.01% | 28,007 | 18.49% | 14,816 | 9.78% | 8,766 | 5.78% | 401 | 0.26% |
Vrancea | 27,407 | 20.34% | 16,098 | 11.94% | 34,862 | 25.87% | 26,510 | 19.67% | 16,007 | 11.88% | 7,104 | 5.27% | 215 | 0.15% |
Diaspora | 345,925 | 43.35% | 214,033 | 26.82% | 22,893 | 2.87% | 96,339 | 12.07% | 36,934 | 4.63% | 38,966 | 4.88% | 4,738 | 0.59% |
Total | 2,120,401 | 22.94% | 1,772,500 | 19.18% | 1,769,760 | 19.15% | 1,281,325 | 13.86% | 811,952 | 8.79% | 583,898 | 6.32% | 416,353 | 4.50% |
Source: Permanent Electoral Authority |
After failing to advance to the runoff, Marcel Ciolacu announced his resignation as leader of the Social Democratic Party on 25 November; however, he will remain the Prime Minister until a new government is formed following parliamentary elections on 1 December. [493] Nicolae Ciucă also resigned as leader of the National Liberal Party after failing to advance to the runoff. [494] Amid discussion over the role of social media in Călin Georgescu's strong showing, Ciolacu also called for funding for Georgescu's campaign on TikTok to be reviewed, while MEP and Renew Europe leader Valérie Hayer called on TikTok's CEO to answer questions about the platform's role in the election before the European Parliament, citing the Digital Services Act. [495] The National Audiovisual Council of Romania also called for the European Commission to investigate TikTok's role in the election, while the national telecommunications regulator Ancom called for TikTok to be suspended as part of an investigation into electoral manipulation. Romanian president Klaus Iohannis also accused TikTok of failing to mark Georgescu's account as that of a political candidate. TikTok subsequently denied favouring Georgescu. Protests also broke out against Georgescu in Bucharest and several other cities in Romania. [496] An analysis by the Romanian news outlet G4 Media found that Georgescu mounted a "propaganda machine" using thousands of supposed "volunteers" to spread his campaign messaging, adding that those involved received pre-made materials on Telegram that could readily be posted as comments on TikTok and other platforms. [497] TikTok executives said that they had taken down several networks engaged in election interference in Romania. [498]
On 27 November, two minor candidates, Sebastian Constantin Popescu and Cristian Terheș submitted requests to the Constitutional Court of Romania to annul the results of the first round of the election. [499] On 28 November, the court ruled unanimously to recount all ballots cast in the first round, [500] with a decision on whether to annul the results expected on 2 December. [494] In their appeals, Terheș accused the USR of violating election law by campaigning among diaspora voters on polling day and alleged that votes cast for Ludovic Orban had been transferred to Elena Lasconi. Popescu accused Georgescu, who declared zero campaign spending, of failing to disclose financing linked to TikTok. The Central Election Bureau later said that scanned reports were due to be delivered by 1 December and the original ballots by 3 December. [501] Additionally, the Supreme Council of National Defence convened and called for an investigation into alleged attacks on the electoral infrastructure and suspicions of illegal campaigning by Călin Georgescu. [502] Georgescu denied the accusations against him, while Lasconi criticised the recount and called on the Central Election Bureau to handle the process "wisely". [501]
On 2 December, the Constitutional Court ruled unanimously to confirm the first round results and upheld the organisation of the runoff on 8 December between Georgescu and Lasconi; [15] however, the Court reversed its decision on 6 December and annulled the election results after President Iohannis allowed the declassification of information in the Supreme Council of National Defence. The Romanian Service of Information also declared that Georgescu said he had "Zero lei electoral campaign budget", but subsequent investigations revealed an undeclared donation of up to €1,000,000 from third parties. This prompted the Court to annull the election results. [503]
The annulment was condemned by both Georgescu and Lasconi, with Georgescu describing the court's verdict as a "formalised coup d'état", [504] and Lasconi calling it "illegal [and] immoral" and stating that it "crushes the very essence of democracy". Fourth-placed George Simion also called the verdict a "coup d'état in full swing" but urged against street protests. Third-placed Marcel Ciolacu called the annulment "the only correct decision". [505] President Iohannis also said the court's decision was legitimate and should be respected, adding that he would remain in office until a successor is inaugurated. [506] Russian state interference in the election was widely reported, including state-sponsored cyberattacks, and the annulment was described as "an extraordinary step" by The Washington Post . [16] [17] [18] The annulment also forced a halt to advanced voting in 951 overseas polling stations for the diaspora that had opened on 6 December, after approximately 50,000 Romanians had cast ballots. [507] [508]
On 7 December, prosecutors searched properties across the country in a investigation into the financing of a candidate's campaign, with investigators saying money laundering was used to fund the campaign. Although the candidate's name was not revealed, Georgescu and his campaign were reportedly the target of the searches. [509]
On the day of the cancelled runoff, Georgescu and around 100 of his supporters held a protest outside a polling station in Bucharest demanding that the election be held. An online petition calling for free elections was also launched by the AUR, which supported Georgescu. [510] Following the annulment of the presidential election, the new government formed after the 2024 Romanian parliamentary election on 1 December is expected to set new dates for a presidential vote. [511] Ilie Bolojan, president of the PNL, has said that the rerun is likely to occur in March or April of 2025. [512]
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