Romanian court cancels presidential election first round over Russian interference claims

Romania's Constitutional Court has annulled the first round of the presidential election due to allegations of Russian interference. This decision follows the declassification of intelligence suggesting a coordinated social media campaign supporting candidate Calin Georgescu. President Klaus Iohannis stated that new election dates will be set once a new government is formed. The annulment halted voting for the runoff, which was scheduled for Sunday, affecting over 951 voting stations abroad. Reformist candidate Elena Lasconi condemned the court's ruling, arguing it undermines democracy and disregards the will of the voters. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu supported the annulment, citing the need for investigations into the alleged foreign influence on the election.