The results of the first round of the presidential elections in Romania have been annulled.

The Romanian Constitutional Court annulled the results of the first round of the presidential election held on November 24.

In a written statement, the Romanian Constitutional Court noted that a decision was made to annul the results of the first round of the presidential elections, and it requested the election process to be restarted. The statement also indicated that a new planning for the presidential election was necessary.

VOTES FROM ABROAD HAVE STARTED TO BE CAST

On the other hand, it was also stated that Romanian voters living abroad have begun the voting process for the second round planned for Sunday.

THE COURT'S REASONING: FOREIGN FORCES

While the date for the second round of the presidential election is planned for December 8, it was expected that NATO and West-leaning independent candidate Calin Georgescu would face off against Elena Lasconi from the center-right Save Romania Union Party.

Local media reports indicate that documents published regarding the involvement of "foreign forces" in the first round influenced the court's annulment decision.

In reports based on files declassified by the Romanian Intelligence Service, it was mentioned that Georgescu, who conducted his election campaign through his TikTok social media account, received support online from foreign and influential individuals, and it was implied that Russia was attempting to influence the elections.

In the first round of the presidential election in Romania, Georgescu received 22.95% of the votes, while Lasconi received 19.17%, advancing to the second round.