Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

189. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent cancellation of the election in Romania; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15461/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The re-scheduled Presidential elections in Romania will take place later this year, with the first round to be held on Sunday, 4 May 2025, and the second round to be held two weeks later on Sunday, 18 May 2025. The results of the first round of the original Romanian Presidential election, held on 24 November 2024, were annulled by Romania’s Constitutional Court on 6 December, following allegations of illegal voter manipulation and interference.

On 26 February 2025, Romanian authorities arrested Calin Georgescu, who is accused of a number of violations, including incitement to actions against constitutional order; dissemination of false information; repeated false statements; involvement in or support of fascist, racist, or xenophobic organizations; publicly promoting individuals guilty of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes; and advocating for fascist, legionary, racist, or xenophobic ideologies.

I am very conscious that the rescheduled elections will take place in the coming weeks and I do not wish to intervene in this political process. Ireland supports Rule of Law and the independence of the judiciary in Romania and, equally, I do not wish to intervene or comment in an ongoing judicial or policing process.

The threat posed by foreign information manipulation and interference in Europe is real. Ireland will continue to work together with our EU counterparts to counter these malicious hybrid activities.