Declassified reports show an unprecedented and significant external interference directed against democratic institutions and processes, and allies have been informed about the attempted external interference, announced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Romania remains firmly committed to protecting its democratic institutions and processes against unprecedented foreign interference and manipulation, following the declassification of documents received by CSAT regarding the first round of the presidential elections, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes in a statement issued on Thursday.
"Romanian authorities have decided to declassify and make public reports containing relevant information regarding malignant external operations, including illegal financing, synthetic amplification of digital campaigns, and large-scale cyberattacks targeting the presidential elections in Romania.
The declassified reports show an unprecedented and significant external interference directed against democratic institutions and processes," according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the ministry, "these actions are part of a continuous and persistent attempt to undermine Romania's firm commitment to Euro-Atlantic values and our membership in the EU and NATO."
"Romanian authorities are investigating this ongoing attempt at influence. We have informed our allies about this attempted external interference and will take all necessary measures to protect democracy, national security, and sovereignty," the statement further reads.
President Klaus Iohannis agreed to declassify, according to the law, at the request of the issuing institutions, the information presented by SRI, SIE, and MAI in the CSAT meeting.
SRI indicates in the document that data has been obtained revealing an aggressive promotion campaign conducted by circumventing national electoral legislation, as well as exploiting algorithms of social media platforms to rapidly increase the popularity of Călin Georgescu.
SIE also mentions that Romania is a target for Russian hybrid actions, including cyberattacks, information leaks, and sabotage.