The Biden administration and members of Congress are wary of Russian interference in the presidential election in Romania, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally bordering Ukraine and the Black Sea.
Romania's Security Council declassified intelligence this week saying a Russian-backed online influence campaign facilitated the election of ultranationalist and pro-Moscow candidate Karin Georgescu. He is a relative unknown and won the first round of voting late last month.
The run-off election will be held on Sunday, pitting Georgescu against reformist Elena Lasconi, who came in second place.
State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement Wednesday that the Romanian Supreme Council for Defense (CSAT)'s investigation into Russia's involvement in malicious cyber activities aimed at affecting the integrity of Romania's electoral process. “We are concerned about the report.”
“To ensure the integrity of Romania's electoral process, the data referenced in the report must be thoroughly investigated.”
Rep. Joe Wilson (R.C.) and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), chairman and ranking member of the U.S. Helsinki Committee, condemned Russian interference in Romania's presidential election Sunday. He called for caution ahead of the vote.
“Romania is an exemplary American partner and NATO ally. The Romanian people respect their sovereignty and independence and have the right to live free from Russian imperialism and the delusional plans of war criminal Putin,” the lawmakers said. wrote.
“I urge Romanians to exercise caution as they face presidential elections this weekend.”
In a report published on Wednesday, Romanian intelligence said it carried out an “aggressive propaganda campaign” that exploited the algorithms of some social media platforms, particularly TikTok, to “rapidly increase Karin Georgescu's popularity.” “High,'' he said, resulting in him jumping from 1 percent in the parliamentary polls. It received nearly 23 percent of the vote in the first round of voting in early November.
Georgescu said in an interview with The Associated Press hours before the intelligence report was released. he denied being pro-Russian. But he has previously said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a “man who loves his country” and called Ukraine an “invented nation.” expressed skepticism The usefulness of NATO.
The European Commission on Wednesday A preservation order has been issued We asked TikTok to freeze and store data related to Romania's elections and upcoming European Union elections.
Another report from Romania's intelligence agency documented 85,000 cyberattacks targeting information systems supporting the electoral process, and attributed the scale of the cyberattacks and the methods used to “state actors.” He said it shows that there is.
of intelligence report declassified By Klaus Iohannis, outgoing president of Romania.
“Romania, along with other countries in NATO's eastern flank, has become a priority for Russia's hostile actions,” said another Romanian intelligence analysis.
“There is growing interest in the Kremlin trying to influence the mood and agenda of Romanian society (at least) in the context of elections through propaganda and disinformation…supporting Eurosceptic candidates and encouraging anti-establishment movements. ” the report continues.
The allegations of Russian interference in Romania's elections follow those in the Moldova presidential election earlier this year, in which the Kremlin carried out vote-buying efforts to reject a referendum on membership in the European Union and new elections. and was accused of supporting propaganda activities. Words from President Maia Sandu.
