Romania’s Election Surprise
The potentially far-reaching regional impact of this week's pivotal elections in Romania.
Also see
Romania’s Election Implications
Success of pro-European candidate could help stabilise the “fragile political landscape” in neighbouring Moldova.
New Centre to Tackle Disinformation in Moldova
IWPR launches one-stop shop for media and civil society to address Moldova’s hybrid threats.
Moldova: How Social Networks Amplify Anti-EU Narratives
An organised campaign of pro-Russian propaganda interests could have a major outcome on landmark referendum.
Georgia: Telegram's Rise as Kremlin Propaganda Tool
Malign influence operations focused on women’s rights and “family values” ahead of the 2024 elections.
Welcome to IWPR’s Frontline Update, your go-to source to hear from journalists and local voices at the front lines of conflict.
THE BIG PICTURE
In a surprise result, pro-EU candidate Nicușor Dan won a majority in the second round of the elections in Romania, beating his far-right, pro-Russia rival George Simion to become president.
The vote was watched closely not only in Brussels but in Moldova and other neighbouring countries.
VOICES FROM THE FRONTLINE
“Had Simion won the presidential elections in Romania, it would likely have introduced ideological friction with Moldova,” said Octavian Cartera, manager of IWPR’s Independent Countering Disinformation Centre. “From Chișinău, Romania is viewed as Moldova’s most committed partner within the EU advocating for accession.”
Dan’s win has reinforced Chișinău’s momentum for European membership ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for September 28, where pro-EU parties will face stiff opposition from pro-Russian elements.
The Romanian result was also welcomed by Kyiv, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posting on social media that it was “important to have Romania as a reliable partner”. Simion had opposed continued military support for Ukraine.
WHY IT MATTERS
The Romanian election comes as pro-European forces across Eastern Europe battle opponents often fuelled by Kremlin-friendly propaganda.
Indeed, a previous vote in Romania this past autumn was annulled by the nation’s top court amid evidence of huge Russian interference in support of the far-right Călin Georgescu, who was disqualified from standing again.
Cartera noted that narratives “which often conceal pro-Kremlin sentiments under the guise of national sovereignty already have a significant presence in Moldovan media and social media.”
Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zourabichvili, also highlighted media vulnerabilities.
“Russia is now discovering that beyond military intervention, it is much more effective by attacking democracies with democracy's instruments,” she told IWPR Executive Director Anthony Borden this week.
“And that's what we're seeing today, that Russia is attacking democracies with propaganda, with a different set of values which pretend to be democratic, that pretends to be freedom of expression but is really the use of technologies to manipulate elections, at which they're apparently becoming masters.”
THE BOTTOM LINE
The impact of malign influence operations divides societies, drives conflict and is keenly felt in elections around the world.
IWPR supports local reporters and rights researchers to produce reliable, trustworthy content that can contribute to positive solutions – and projects such as IWPR’s Independent Countering Disinformation Centre in Moldova provide ways for independent media and civil society to identify and tackle foreign interference.
