The presidential candidate of the ruling coalition in Romania, Crin Antonescu, said in a television interview with Be1 that his main opponent in the race - far-right candidate Calin Georgescu - is "Russia's candidate", BTA reports.
“I've been saying it since the first day of this campaign – that Mr. Georgescu is Russia's candidate“, stressed Antonescu, whose candidacy was put forward by the ruling coalition of the Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania.
Russia and the accusations against Georgescu
Antonescu commented on yesterday's statement by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, according to which the European Union was behind the decision to bring charges against Calin Georgescu. According to the Russian side, the “European totalitarian-liberal elite“ is afraid of a conservative wave in Europe under the influence of Donald Trump.
A number of Romanian politicians reacted sharply to the Russian allegations, defining them as “inadmissible“, “absurd“ and “another hybrid attack aimed at destabilizing democracy in Romania“.
Antonescu: Russia is increasing its interference
In his interview, Antonescu said that external interference by Russia is nothing new, but now there is an “unprecedented brutality“ in its actions.
“This is another conspiracy theory spread by Russian propaganda - that Brussels is the center of evil and that the EU is conspiring against the peoples of Europe”, he said. “These lies have been spreading for years and have already poisoned the minds of many people.“
Antonescu stressed that Moscow continues its “offensive against the EU and its member states, including Romania“.
“Georgescu is the protégé, the favorite and the “victim“ that Russia is now demonstratively protecting,“ he added, citing the Romanian news site News.ro.
Upcoming elections and political instability
According to Romanian media, Antonescu will officially submit his candidacy for president on Sunday, March 9. The first round of the elections is scheduled for May 4, and a possible second round – on May 18.
Romania's presidential election is being held again after the Constitutional Court annulled the results of the previous vote won by Calin Georgescu due to suspicions of foreign interference linked to Russia. Moscow has vehemently denied the allegations, and Georgescu insists he is not a “pro-Russian” candidate.