The Repetition of Romania’s December 2024 Presidential Elections: Causes and Consequences
The unexpected cancelation of Romania’s December 2024 presidential elections has ignited widespread political and social unrest, laying bare the vulnerabilities within the country’s democratic framework. This unprecedented decision has sparked serious concerns about constitutional interpretations, political accountability, and the influence of both external and internal destabilizing forces. The implications of this cancelation extend far beyond a mere shift in electoral timing, signaling a deeper crisis within the political system and the fragile trust between citizens and the state.
Constitutional Context and Legal Implications
Under normal circumstances, the presidential mandate in Romania is designed to last five years, beginning with the swearing-in ceremony. As stipulated in Article 83 of the Romanian Constitution, a new president must assume office after the end of the incumbent’s term. Article 97 further dictates that if the presidency becomes vacant, elections must be held within three months. However, the cancelationof the December 2024 elections has left many questioning the legitimacy of this decision. The lack of clarity regarding the new electoral timeline has only deepened the sense of disillusionment among the electorate, raising doubts about the fairness and stability of Romania’s political system
Radical Discourse and Online Propaganda
Romanian society has long been susceptible to the influence of radical right-wing rhetoric, a trend exacerbated by the pervasive reach of the internet. Organizations such as Noua Dreaptă (The New Right), the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (GOLD), SOS Romania, the Party of Young People (POT), and the Orthodox Brotherhood exemplify this growing phenomenon. Drawing heavily on foreign ideological frameworks, these groups skillfully tailor their narratives to align with local nationalist sentiments, thereby cultivating an environment conducive to the spread of hate speech, xenophobic discourse, homophobia, anti-gender equality rhetoric, and anti-democratic ideologies.They exhibit open or veiled inspirations drawn from the interwar fascist movement, the Legion of the Archangel Michael, whose ultranationalist and religiously infused rhetoric shaped a dark chapter in Romanian history. Echoes of the Legion’s ideology are discernible in these parties’ glorification of nationalist myths, their calls for a return to “traditional values,” and their use of religious symbolism as a unifying and mobilizing force. This rhetoric, while often framed in modern terms, aligns closely with the exclusionary and anti-democratic tenets of the Legionary movement.
Research into the dynamics of radical movements in Romania has shown how these groups engage in a highly interactive dialogue with their audience, offering a dystopian vision of the nation threatened by demographic and cultural shifts. These movements do not merely rely on passive consumption of their ideas but encourage active participation, fueling fears of national decline and promoting extreme “solutions” to perceived existential threats. The postponement of elections has, unfortunately, provided an opportunity for these radical factions to intensify their discourse, leveraging the uncertainty to stoke further fears and incite division.
In the parliamentary elections, the aforementioned parties Gold, SOS Romania, and POT demonstrated their growing influence, capitalizing on nationalist and populist rhetoric to attract a significant portion of the electorate. Gold emerged as the second biggest party, securing a notable percentage of the vote with its staunchly radical and eurosceptic platform. SOS Romania, with its focus on anti-establishment narratives and social conservatism, garnered substantial support among disillusioned voters. Meanwhile, POT, targeting a younger demographic through an emphasis on social media campaigns and nationalist messaging, achieved moderate success, reflecting its appeal to a segment of the youth. Together, these parties underscore a broader trend of shifting voter preferences towards right-wing populism in Romania, driven by dissatisfaction with traditional political elites.
Party | Percentage of Votes (%) |
---|---|
Gold (The Alliance for the Unity of Romanians) | 18 |
SOS Romania | 7.5 |
POT (Party of Young People) | 6.4 |
These groups have increasingly called for protests, sometimes invoking violence, often timed with significant historical dates such as December 21-22—days that symbolize Romania’s liberation from the oppressive Ceaușescu regime. The intersection of these protests with the electoral postponement only highlights the potential dangers of radical rhetoric, as far-right groups manipulate public frustration and unrest to further their own political agendas.
Călin Georgescu, a polarizing figure known for his nationalist tendencies and mythomania, triumphed in the first round of Romania’s presidential elections, harnessing a rhetoric that boldly advocated for sovereignty and traditional values. His campaign, characterized by incendiary speeches and outspoken condemnation of Western influence, struck a chord with a substantial portion of the electorate disillusioned with the political establishment. Georgescu openly expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, placing blame for the war on Ukraine. Furthermore, he unabashedly lauded controversial historical figures, including Marshal Ion Antonescu and Corneliu Zelea Codreanu, the far-right leader of the Legion of the Archangel Michael, thereby aligning his discourse with an ultra-nationalist and revisionist agenda.
Geopolitical Dimensions and External Influence
The cancelation of the elections also unfold within a broader geopolitical context, marked by growing tensions and external threats. Romania, as a NATO and EU member state, finds itself navigating a complex geopolitical environment, particularly amidst ongoing challenges posed by Russia. Reports from Romanian intelligence services, including evidence presented by the National Defence Council, have highlighted concerning instances of Russian interference in Romanian elections. These findings reveal deliberate efforts to manipulate public opinion and electoral outcomes through the strategic use of platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and other online media channels. These tactics mirror similar strategies employed in neighboring Moldova, where Russia has actively sought to destabilize democratic processes.
Furthermore, intelligence reports and independent investigations have raised concerns about potential connections between extremist political parties and radical organizations with links to the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence service. Through covert channels, these radical elements are suspected of providing ideological guidance, strategic support, and financial resources to further destabilize democratic processes and amplify divisive narratives within Romanian society. The interplay of historical fascist and post-fascist inspiration and contemporary geopolitical influence paints a troubling picture of the forces shaping these parties, highlighting the need for vigilance against both internal extremism and external subversion.
This dual presence of internal political instability and external pressures exacerbates Romania’s vulnerabilities. In response, it is imperative to strengthen democratic safeguards and reinforce cooperation with European partners to protect the nation’s sovereignty and democratic integrity. The documented risk of external influence, particularly through sophisticated digital manipulation, underscores the critical need for heightened vigilance and proactive measures to fortify Romania’s electoral and democratic systems.
The Crisis of Political Leadership
The decision to extend highly unpopular President Klaus Iohannis’s mandate amid the absence of a clear electoral timeline has raised significant questions about Romania’s political leadership. This decision, coupled with the potential for a renewed coalition between the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Hungarian-minorityUDMR, has provoked criticism. The alliance between these parties, often seen as driven more by political expediency than a genuine commitment to reform, reflects a reluctance to address the country’s systemic issues.
Public discontent is growing, as political actors seem more preoccupied with maintaining their hold on power than with resolving the challenges facing the nation. The political elite’s failure to act decisively has led to a noticeable erosion of trust in Romania’s democratic institutions. This growing frustration among the electorate may foster political disengagement or, conversely, provide fertile ground for the rise of populist movements that promise swift solutions to the perceived dysfunction of the political establishment.
Historical and Moral Considerations
The cancellation of elections in December, a month of great historical significance for Romania, takes on additional symbolic weight. December 1 is the National Day of Romania and December 21-22 is a time for the nation to commemorate its struggle against totalitarianism and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of freedom. The postponement of elections during this period—a reminder of Romania’s hard-won democratic victories—strikes at the very heart of the nation’s moral and political identity.
The calls for protests by far-right factions, timed to coincide with these commemorative days, further highlight the risks posed by conflating legitimate political dissent with violent extremism. It is essential for Romania’s civil society to stand firm against such tendencies and reaffirm the core democratic values that define its identity. Civic activism must focus on peaceful protest and the protection of fundamental freedoms, not on the promotion of extremist ideologies or violent rhetoric.
The Path Forward
The postponement of the December 2024 presidential elections is more than a procedural anomaly—it is a critical juncture for Romania’s democratic resilience. The country now faces a crucial test of its commitment to democratic principles and the stability of its political institutions. In order to navigate this crisis and restore public confidence, immediate actions are required, including:
- Clarifying the Electoral Timeline: The government must establish a concrete and transparent electoral date to restore trust and stability to Romania’s political system.
- Countering Extremism: It is essential to strengthen laws and regulations aimed at curbing online hate speech, ensuring that media narratives remain balanced and inclusive.
- Enhancing Transparency: The Romanian government must prioritize transparency and accountability, particularly in the electoral process, to dispel concerns about political opportunism and ensure the integrity of the democratic system.
- Fortifying Democratic Institutions: Close collaboration with EU partners is necessary to safeguard Romania’s electoral process from external manipulation, ensuring that democracy remains immune to foreign interference.
Romania now stands at a crossroads, with the potential to emerge stronger or to succumb to deeper divisions. The path it chooses will depend on its ability to address the root causes of the current crisis while reaffirming its commitment to the democratic ideals for which countless Romanians have fought over the past decades. The decisions made in the coming months will shape the future of Romania’s democracy for years to come.
OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
Silviu Miloiu (December 19, 2024). The Repetition of Romania’s December 2024 Presidential Elections: Causes and Consequences. Silviu Miloiu. Retrieved March 19, 2025 from https://doi.org/10.58079/12ysb