Introduction
Ultranationalist Candidate Wins First Round of Presidential Election, Court Annuls Results Over Alleged Russian Influence
On 24th November 2024, little-known far-right candidate Călin Georgescu won the first round of Romania’s presidential elections. Reports suggest he benefited from a coordinated TikTok influencer campaign funded by organisations linked to the Kremlin. He was set to face pro-EU candidate Elena Lasconi in the second round on 8th December 2024. However, in a controversial decision, Romania’s Constitutional Court annulled the election, citing alleged Russian interference.
On 31st December 2024, an appeals court rejected Georgescu’s challenge to the Constitutional Court’s ruling. With no new election date announced, President Klaus Iohannis remains in office.
Meanwhile, the European Commission has launched formal proceedings against TikTok for failing to properly assess and mitigate systemic risks to election integrity, particularly during Romania’s presidential elections on 24th November 2024.
Earlier, in October 2024, Romania’s Constitutional Court ruled that pro-Russia, anti-EU candidate Diana Șoșoacă was ineligible to run for president, arguing that her views made her unable to uphold the presidential oath to respect the constitution and protect democracy. Political parties across the spectrum and civil rights groups condemned the ruling, calling it an overreach of the court’s constitutional powers.
Despite Șoșoacă’s history of antisemitic and pro-Russian rhetoric in parliament, critics argue that arbitrarily disqualifying candidates could push the country toward illiberalism.
Pro-EU Parties Secure Parliamentary Majority Amid Far-Right Surge
On 1st December 2024, pro-European Union parties held off the far-right in Romania’s parliamentary election, with the Social Democratic Party (PSD) leading with 22% of the vote, followed by the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) at 18%. The National Liberal Party (PNL) came third with 14.3%.
On 23rd December 2024, Romanian lawmakers approved a new government led by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, backed by a coalition of Social Democrats (PSD), Liberals (PNL), and the Hungarian party UDMR. The coalition secured a narrow majority of 240 votes—just seven above the required threshold.
Romania Joins the Schengen Area
On 1st January 2025, Romania officially joined the Schengen zone. After years of negotiations, this milestone marks a significant expansion of the world’s largest free travel area. Alongside Bulgaria, Romania’s accession increases the Schengen zone’s population to over 420 million, facilitating greater tourism and business opportunities across EU borders.
Peaceful Assembly
Romanian Prison Police Protest Amid Allegations of Tear Gas Incident
The Europol trade union accused a Gendarmerie officer of using tear gas during a protest on 30th December 2024 in Bucharest, allegedly injuring a prison police officer. The incident occurred as hundreds of officers demonstrated against the government’s so-called “little train” ordinance, which eliminated overtime and holiday pay for some categories of civil servants.
Europol claims the gendarme sprayed the irritant when protesters tried to enter the road near Victoriei Square. The Bucharest Gendarmerie confirmed using the spray, stating it was necessary to stop participants from breaching metal barriers and blocking traffic. They denied causing injuries and emphasised their intent to maintain order.
The protests, which spread to penitentiaries like Rahova, Jilava and Poarta Albă, saw prison officers refusing to work over unpaid overtime and poor working conditions. The union warned that actions would continue into the new year, with disruptions expected in January.
Far-Right Candidate Georgescu Protests After Runoff Election Annulled
On 8th December 2024, far-right presidential candidate Călin Georgescu and over 100 supporters protested outside a closed Bucharest polling station after Romania’s Constitutional Court annulled the presidential runoff scheduled for the same day.
Chanting slogans like "Down with dictatorship" and "We want to vote," Georgescu claimed authorities cancelled the election to prevent his victory. The Constitutional Court had scrapped the election on 6th December, citing illegal use of digital technologies, undeclared funding, and alleged Russian interference via social media platforms such as TikTok.
On the same day, authorities arrested several armed men heading to Bucharest to participate in protests against the annulled presidential elections. Police found guns, machetes, axes and knives in their vehicles. The group, led by Horaţiu Potra, was allegedly planning to incite unrest in the capital. Potra, a former French Foreign Legion fighter, was previously photographed with the Russian ambassador to Romania, and had supported Georgescu’s campaign. Potra was released on 13th December 2024.
Pro-West Protests After Georgescu’s First Round Victory
Over a thousand students and young people gathered in Bucharest’s University Square on 28th November, marking the fourth consecutive day of protests against far-right presidential candidate Călin Georgescu and the Romanian Constituțional Court. Protesters criticised the court’s decision to recount all votes from the 24th November presidential election, a move seen as favouring Social Democratic Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu's progression to the runoff. They raised concerns over the recount’s lack of transparency and absence of independent observers.
Chants and banners targeted Georgescu’s anti-EU, anti-NATO rhetoric and pro-fascist stances with slogans such as “No fascism, no war, no Georgescu in the second round!” and “Don’t vote for a dictator.”
Similar protests were held in other major cities like Timișoara, Cluj-Napoca, Iași, Brașov, and Sibiu.
On 5th December 2024, ahead of the planned second round of the presidential election, thousands took to the streets of central Bucharest again to show their support for European values.
Accountants, Business Owners Protest Electronic Invoicing
On 8th July 2024, hundreds of accountants protested in Bucharest against the government's plans to digitalise the tax administration. Similar demonstrations took place in Iași, Timișoara, and Bistrița.
Members of the Employers’ Association of Romanian Accountants argued that introducing mechanisms such as electronic invoicing and electronic VAT would increase the bureaucratic burden on businesses. They also criticised the technical tools provided by the Ministry of Finance, claiming they malfunction frequently.
The protest gained support from travel associations, hospitality organisations and GPs. Organised by civil society groups and business associations, it aimed to demand tax policy reforms, and culminated in a rally outside the Ministry of Finance.
US rapper Nicki Minaj cancelled her performance at Romania's SAGA Festival, citing safety concerns over the protest, which was scheduled for the same day as her performance. She announced her decision on social media, explaining that her security team had advised against attending. “As a mom, I have to make sure I'm making sound decisions for me to make it home to my son and for my team to make it home to their families,” she wrote.
Freedom of Expression
Prosecutor General Proposes Stricter Laws to Combat Hate Speech and Incitement to Violence
Following mounting criticism over the Prosecutor General’s Office’s perceived inaction amid a surge in anti-Semitic propaganda and propaganda glorifying fascist organisations, on 20th December 2024, Prosecutor General Alex Florența called for updated legislation to combat incitement to violence and propaganda glorifying fascist movements from the Second World War period, such as the Iron Guard movement. He cited gaps in law enforcement and a lack of reports from authorities on such activities.
Florența highlighted the low number of cases reported annually on promoting fascist, racist or xenophobic ideologies, with some regions, such as Bacău, Constanța and Iași, recording few or no cases. Between 2022 and 2024, courts convicted only two individuals for such propaganda, with the incidents dating back several years.
Florența argues that authorities need "up-to-date tools" to handle these cases effectively. However, critics contend that his office fails to use the legal tools already available.
Journalists Harassed by Far-Right Politicians During First Parliament Session
On 20th December 2024, during the first session of Romania’s newly elected parliament, Diana Șoșoacă, leader of the S.O.S. Romania party, and social media influencer “Makaveli,” a known supporter of far-right presidential candidate Călin Georgescu, disrupted a live broadcast by Antena 3 CNN. They shouted at the journalist and mocked her as she tried to walk away. Later that day, Șoșoacă also threatened Antena 3 CNN journalist Mihai Gâdea and his family on social media.
Șoșoacă was not the only politician targeting journalists. Anamaria Gavrilă, leader of the Party of Young People (POT), hit journalists' microphones, declaring they “do not represent the people.” Gigi Becali, an MP from the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), snatched a journalist’s microphone, claiming he wanted to “experience being a journalist” before returning it and demanding reporters leave him alone.
In response, the Prosecutor General's Office launched a criminal investigation into Șoșoacă for abusive behaviour and disturbing public order. Civil society organisations condemned the incidents, urging authorities to protect journalists’ safety and freedom in Parliament.
Emilia Șercan Harassment Case Reopened, Organisations Demand Independent Investigation
On 17th December 2024, a group of international and Romanian press organisations, including the International Press Institute (IPI) and Reporters Without Borders, urged Romanian authorities to ensure an independent investigation into the harassment of investigative journalist Emilia Șercan.
In an open letter addressed to top officials, including Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and the Prosecutor General, the organisations criticised systemic failures in handling the case, which stems from the 2022 publication of the journalist’s private pictures and the alleged leak from the criminal investigation into the matter. The leak followed Șercan’s reporting on high-level plagiarism. Court rulings in April and September reopening the investigation into the case were commended as steps towards accountability.
In recent months, advocacy groups have continued urging authorities to conduct a thorough and independent investigation, calling it a crucial moment for press freedom in Romania.
Police Investigate Threats Against Journalists by Georgescu Supporters
In December 2024, Romanian police launched an investigation into threats against journalists from the investigative outlet snoop.ro following their reports on Russian influence and disinformation linked to presidential candidate Călin Georgescu.
Bruno Mihăilescu, leader of the Tracia Unită organisation supporting Georgescu, allegedly threatened journalist Victor Ilie and others, claiming to have personal information about them and warning of “repercussions.” He also implied that journalists were being monitored, issuing veiled threats such as “you don't know what you're getting into now, by picking on us”.
Watchdog organisation ActiveWatch condemned the threats and urged authorities to ensure the journalists’ safety. Police confirmed they are investigating the case under Romania’s Criminal Code.
Romanian Organisations Call for Broader Protection Against Judicial Intimidation
In November 2024, a coalition of 30 Romanian civil society organisations, journalists and citizens called on the Ministry of Justice to strengthen protections against judicial intimidation by extending the EU’s Anti-SLAPP Directive to cover domestic cases, not just cross-border ones.
In an open letter, the group highlighted longstanding issues with Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) in Romania, which often target activists, journalists, and NGOs defending public interest. The letter called for comprehensive safeguards against SLAPPs, noting that over 90% of SLAPP cases are filed in national courts. The signatories requested involvement in the legislative process to ensure that the draft law implementing EU Directive 2024/1069 provides equal protections for individuals facing intimidation through domestic legal actions.
Among the signatories are leading organisations such as APADOR-CH, Freedom House Romania, and Greenpeace CEE Romania, along with journalists and civic groups advocating for free speech and public participation.
ActiveWatch Condemns Presidential Candidate Geoană’s Attack on Journalists as "Kompromat Action"
In October 2024, presidential candidate Mircea Geoană attempted to discredit investigative journalist Attila Biro by making unproven claims of the journalist’s involvement in a 2023 Bulgarian assassination plot and alleged ties to oligarchic funding. The claims appeared to be an attempt to divert attention away from an investigation by Biro’s outlet Context.ro that linked Geoană’s campaign team to a Russian propagandist.
Instead of addressing the allegations, Geoană resorted to attacking journalists, a move denounced by free speech organisation ActiveWatch as a “classic kompromat action.”
Case Study Exposes Disinformation and Harassment Against Investigative Journalist Adina Marincea
On 21st August 2024, the German daily TAZ and the International Press Institute (IPI) released a case study detailing the disinformation and harassment campaigns targeting Adina Marincea, a Romanian investigative journalist known for her reporting on far-right extremism and LGBTQI+ rights.
Part of the "Decoding the Disinformation Playbook" project, the study reveals a pattern of coordinated attacks against Marincea, which included misogynistic slurs, antisemitic narratives, online smear campaigns, and indirect threats of violence. Far-right groups amplified false claims that Marincea promoted anti-Romanian sentiments—an attempt to discredit her reporting on Holocaust denial.
The project aims to document global disinformation tactics and provide journalists with tools to combat them.