Romania's surprise front-runner says he's not pro-Russia. But Romania alleges he had Moscow's help
The surprise front-runner in Romania’s presidential election insisted to The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday that he is not pro-Russian — hours before Romania declassified intelligence alleging Moscow ran an online campaign to promote him to voters
IZVORANI, Romania (AP) — The surprise front-runner in Romania’s presidential election insisted to The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday that he is not pro-Russian — hours before Romania declassified intelligence alleging Moscow ran an online campaign to promote him to voters.
Far-right populist Calin Georgescu could not immediately be reached about the unprecedented intelligence release ordered by President Klaus Iohannis, which alleges a sprawling network of thousands of social media accounts across platforms like TikTok and Telegram that promoted Georgescu content. The intelligence indicated a modus operandi and resources “specific to a state actor.”
“Romania is a target for aggressive Russian hybrid actions, including cyber attacks and information leaks … and sabotage,” a document from the Foreign Intelligence Service says. It was not immediately clear from the intelligence release whether Georgescu was aware of the alleged campaign or assisted in it.
Sitting at his desk in an isolated compound north of Bucharest earlier Wednesday, Georgescu told the AP that “I am interested in us being a sovereign and self-sufficient power. Freedom and independence come from the ability to finance yourself, not from being financed by others.”
