US supports Romania's democratic process amid election crisis
The United States of America (USA) stands with the Romanian people during this unprecedented situation concerning the integrity of the elections and reaffirms its confidence in Romania’s democratic institutions and processes, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of State after the annulment of the presidential elections in Romania.
“Romanians must have confidence that their elections reflect the democratic will of the Romanian people and are free from harmful foreign influences that aim to undermine their electoral integrity. The integrity of Romania’s elections is crucial for the democracy that Romanians have fought so hard to build. It is for the Romanian people to choose whom they will elect. No other nation or foreign entity has this right,” stated the U.S. Department of State.
Moreover, the U.S. Department of State calls on all parties to uphold Romania’s constitutional order: “The United States reaffirms its trust in Romania’s democratic institutions and processes, including investigations into foreign influences that are unfriendly. We urge all parties to respect Romania’s constitutional order and to engage in a peaceful democratic process free from threats or intimidation, one that reflects the democratic will of the Romanian people.”
On Friday, December 6, the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) unanimously decided to annul the presidential elections. This decision came after intelligence information was declassified, revealing the interference of a “state actor” in the campaign of candidate Călin Georgescu.
The CCR also ruled that the presidential election process in Romania would be fully restarted, with the Romanian government tasked with setting a new date. This means that the presidential elections in Romania will begin anew, and candidates must re-register and go through the validation process of the Central Electoral Bureau of Romania.
After the CCR’s decision, President Klaus Iohannis announced that he would stay in office until a new president is elected. The leader from Cotroceni also mentioned that the next government of Romania would be appointed after the new Parliament is established.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
