Interim President of Romania, Ilie Bolojan, stated that all documents submitted to the Supreme Council for Country’s Defense (CSAT) related to the cancellation of last year’s end-of-year elections have been declassified.
For the upcoming elections in May, Bolojan declares that they are better prepared than in November.
At this moment, he does not have information regarding imminent interference by a foreign state or actor in the upcoming presidential elections.
Bolojan was asked on Tuesday whether he will declassify any other evidence related to the cancellation of the presidential elections from last year before the end of his term.
"All documents related to the election part that were submitted to CSAT have been declassified.
Therefore, the statements made in this context are assumed by each individual who makes them, and I ask you to address clarifying questions if necessary. (...) All data available to CSAT has been declassified," stated Ilie Bolojan.
Bolojan: Last year's lesson no longer allows any institution to claim being unprepared
Bolojan believes that last year's lesson no longer allows any institution to claim being unprepared, and every responsible institution must limit such hybrid attacks.
The interim President was asked if there are indications or data regarding imminent interference by a foreign state or actor in the upcoming presidential elections.
"We do not have such information about an imminent issue, but being in Eastern Europe, being close to a war, considering what has happened in recent years, these hybrid wars involving cyber attacks on our IT infrastructure, communications, websites, for example, related to the electoral display of voter turnout, as happened last time, hybrid attacks attempting to divide the population, sow greater distrust in authorities amidst existing distrust, divide people, demonize everything," stated Bolojan.
He believes that we will not escape these issues even in the next month.
"These are issues that we will not escape even in the upcoming month, and as discussed with all institutions involved in organizing the elections, I believe that last year's lesson no longer allows any institution to claim being unprepared, and what each institution needs to do is limit such hybrid attacks, eliminate through the legally established mechanisms, the Electoral Authority, the Electoral Office, and other authorities, illegal content, fake news, so that Romanians form a voting perception and vote based on how candidates campaign, better or worse, based on the statements they make, how they interact with people, and not based on these hybrid attacks.
I am convinced that we are better prepared than in November regarding this. But it will not be a situation where suddenly everything will calm down," conveyed the interim President.
How do we ensure that Russia does not intervene again?
He was further asked how he will concretely guarantee Romanians that these presidential elections will be free from any interference by the Russian Federation.
"I practically answered your question. Each institution must do its duty, respect legal provisions on cybersecurity, for example, and, as I said, it is necessary to intervene where it is found that this content is illegal, violating the law, it must certainly be removed, but I understand that this happens, there have been decisions communicated publicly on this topic, and I think this must continue to be done while respecting the right of all candidates to communicate, to express their views, and in such a way that a fair campaign exists," Ilie Bolojan further conveyed.