Călin Georgescu remains the leading contender in Romania’s presidential race, according to a recent poll.
The survey, conducted by Avangarde and published by HotNews.ro on January 20, showed hard-right Georgescu leading on 38 per cent ahead of the re-run election to take place on May 4, with a second round on May 18.
The poll of 1,354 voters between January 10 and 16 came after Romania’s top court annulled the previous presidential election in December, just days before its decisive second round, citing allegations of Russian interference favouring Georgescu.
The annulment followed accusations that he benefited from a disproportionate social media campaign allegedly orchestrated by Russia, a claim Moscow has denied.
The poll also indicated shifting dynamics among other candidates. Crin Antonescu, the candidate for the pro-Brussels coalition government, trailed Georgescu with 25 per cent of the projected vote.
Antonescu has framed his campaign around strengthening Romania’s integration into the European Union.
Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan, who has hinted at running as an an independent candidate, garnered 17 per cent.
Elena Lasconi, leader of Save Romania Union (USR) and Georgescu’s previous second-round opponent, saw her support plummet to just 6 per cent.
Despite his apparent support, it remains unclear as to whether Georgescu will be able to participate in the forthcoming ballot.
Former European Commissioner Thierry Breton’s claimed on French broadcaster RMC on January 9 that the EC had interfered in Romanian elections.
“We did it in Romania, and we can do it in Germany,” he said in response to a question about the possible victory of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in that country’s elections on February 23.
COMMENT: The documents relied upon to annul Romania’s presidential election first round provide no concrete evidence of Russian state interference or any links between presidential candidate Calin Georgescu and Russia, writes @GElefteriu. https://t.co/AMkt8cxIEp
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) January 9, 2025
