Romanian candidate Calin Georgescu surprises with election win amid claims of interference

Calin Georgescu, a candidate in Romania's presidential elections, unexpectedly won 23% of the vote despite polling at 5% prior. Critics accuse him of being pro-Putin, and Romanian intelligence claims his rise was influenced by a coordinated social media campaign. Declassified reports suggest that this campaign involved external actors and violated electoral laws. Authorities noted a significant number of attempted hacks aimed at electoral data, indicating possible state-sponsored interference. Georgescu denies any wrongdoing, claiming his popularity stems from public support. He also stated he did not engage in traditional campaigning and is unaware of any influencers involved in promoting his candidacy.