Romanian Top Court Rejects Challenge to Validate Presidential Election

Romania's Constitutional Court unanimously rejected a request to annul the May 18 presidential election, which was won by independent candidate Nicusor Dan, after defeated far-right leader George Simion alleged foreign interference by France and Moldova. Simion, leader of the nationalist Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), claimed he had evidence including testimony from Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who said French intelligence tried to pressure Telegram to silence conservative voices prior to the election. Despite Simion's allegations and previous annulment of the 2024 presidential election over Russian interference, independent observers described the recent election as well-organized and free of substantiated manipulation. French officials have dismissed the accusations, and Durov expressed willingness to testify if it would benefit Romanian democracy. Simion’s challenge is seen as part of a broader pattern of ultranationalist claims of electoral fraud and foreign meddling, though no concrete evidence has been presented. The court’s validation of the election results is expected to confirm Dan’s presidency, ending a period of political uncertainty in Romania.