🚨BREAKING: Telegram CEO Pavel Durov announces they received a request from the French government to "silence Conservative voices in Romania"
The EU has gone full authoritarian. pic.twitter.com/fTNNZYpk4f
— Inevitable West (@Inevitablewest) May 18, 2025
Romania’s presidential election has concluded with a victory for Nicusor Dan, a pro-EU centrist who secured 54 percent of the vote, defeating nationalist candidate George Simion. The election was marked by high tensions, with allegations of foreign interference and concerns over media manipulation. The stakes were enormous, as Romania’s leadership plays a crucial role in shaping the country’s relationship with the European Union and NATO.
The election was a rerun after Romania’s constitutional court annulled the previous vote, citing Russian interference and social media manipulation. Simion, who had been the frontrunner in the original election, was barred from running again, fueling accusations of political maneuvering. The final turnout reached 65 percent, significantly higher than the first round’s 53 percent, reflecting the heightened interest and urgency among voters.
The controversy did not end with the election results. Telegram CEO Pavel Durov revealed that the French government had requested the platform to silence conservative voices in Romania, sparking outrage among free speech advocates. The Romanian government responded by warning of a viral campaign of fake news, further complicating the narrative surrounding the election. France’s foreign ministry categorically denied Durov’s claims, but the allegations have added fuel to concerns about external influence in Romania’s political landscape.
The election turmoil has already led to significant political shifts. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu resigned last week after his pro-European coalition collapsed. With Dan now in power, Romania’s political future remains uncertain. Simion’s nationalist AUR party could still play a major role in forming a new parliamentary majority, potentially influencing the country’s direction despite his electoral loss.
The battle over Romania’s political identity is far from over. The election exposed deep divisions between pro-European forces and nationalist movements, with both sides claiming victory in different ways.
Sources:
https://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/alert-pro-eu-centrist-wins-romania-s-tense-20333863.php