Romania’s Supreme Court has ordered a recount of votes in the first round of presidential elections, it said Thursday, in a decision that observers say could tarnish the credibility of state institutions ahead of two more votes.
The Constitutional Court “has unanimously ordered the re-verification and recount of the ballots for the presidential elections on November 24”, we read in a note.
After single-digit voting ahead of Sunday’s vote, far-right independent politician Calin Georgescu, 62, won a victory that raised questions about how such a surprise was possible in the European Union and NATO member country .
The decision adds to the turbulence surrounding the electoral process in Romania, which involves three votes in as many weeks, crucial for the direction of a country that has been pro-Western and a staunch ally of Ukraine.
Georgescu-Roegen praised Romania’s fascist politicians of the 1930s as national heroes and martyrs, criticized NATO and Romania’s position on Ukraine, and said the country should engage with Russia, not challenge it.
He is expected to face centrist candidate Elena Lasconi in a runoff on December 8. Meanwhile, parliamentary elections are scheduled for Sunday.
“GAMES BEHIND THE SCENES”
Lasconi condemned the Constitutional Court’s decision in a post on his social media accounts.
“The Constitutional Court is interfering in the democratic process for the second time,” he wrote, referring to an earlier court decision to ban a far-right politician from running in the presidential election. “Extremism is fought through votes, not behind-the-scenes games.”
In October, the Constitutional Court banned a far-right politician from running for president in a decision that analysts, civil rights groups and some parties said went beyond his powers.
The decision to request a recount was made after conservative presidential candidate Cristian Terhes, who received 1% of the vote on Sunday, disputed the result of the vote.
Terhes asked the Court to annul the election result. The court postponed the decision until November 29, but also called for a recount.
The head of the country’s electoral authority, Toni Grebla, said that once the official request was received, it would take days for the votes to be recounted. 9.46 million votes were registered in the elections.
Social Democrat Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu came third on Sunday, just 2,740 votes behind Lasconi in second.
Source: Terra
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