Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001112/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Petra Steger (PfE)
On 11 March 2025, the Romanian Constitutional Court upheld the decision of the Central Electoral Committee barring Romanian presidential hopeful Călin Georgescu – who had come out on top in the first round – from the electoral re-run. As this antidemocratic coup unfolded, the EU proved itself to be anything other than a guardian of democracy; on the contrary, its antidemocratic meddling precipitated the vote’s annulment. For example, shortly after the first round yielded a result it deemed unsavoury, the Commission responded by launching a series of formal proceedings against the video platform TikTok, citing alleged violations of the Digital Services Act. By employing such tactics, the Commission is groundlessly exerting its influence over national elections and undermining the sovereignty of an EU Member State.
Although free elections are the bedrock of democracy, basic democratic principles are being jettisoned, with disinformation and claims of foreign influence used as a smokescreen. Against such a background, US Vice-President JD Vance was absolutely right to say that Europe has a democratic deficit.
- 1.What does the Commission make of the Romanian Constitutional Court’s decision to strip an EU citizen – who had triumphed in the first round – of the right to stand for election?
- 2.Did the Commission exert pressure on Romanian institutions to advance decisions against anti-EU and anti-NATO presidential candidate Georgescu?
- 3.What specific evidence does the Commission have to justify annulling the vote and barring the candidate in pole position?
Submitted: 14.3.2025