President Klaus Iohannis stated on Wednesday, regarding the presidential elections, that the intervention was so subtle and so complex that a large part of what happened was discovered after the first round of voting, and foreign influence was found later, and in this case, we had significant support from strategic partners.
„I do not hold anyone responsible, because the intervention was so subtle and so complex that practically a large part of what happened was discovered after the first round of voting. Not everything. There were certain issues that were resolved but unfortunately the situation and the laws were not sufficient. There was a candidate who ran an excessive campaign, claiming it cost nothing. No one believes it, but that’s how it was declared, on a social network.
On social networks, campaigns are common, everyone runs their own, but those networks have the obligation that when there are elections, to tag the candidates. And when campaigning is no longer allowed, the network should stop any campaign. The Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) warned that network, TikTok, to stop the campaign, but the network ignored the request and thus, the campaign continued on Saturday and Sunday only for that candidate because for others, the law was respected," said President Klaus Iohannis about canceling the presidential elections.
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The head of state pointed out that "it is a serious violation of electoral legislation, but since this network is not based in Romania or even in Europe, but in China, the network simply allowed itself to ignore what BEC requested, and BEC had no means to compel the network, just as Europe has no means either."
"There are issues that, for the moment, have no solution. But foreign influence was found later, and I must say that here we had significant support from strategic partners who helped Romanian entities to find out what happened. That's why it took a few days from the election date until the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) could discuss with data. And then, blaming someone from within us would not take us very far.
It is true that, in my opinion, I have not discussed this with politicians in Romania, the legislation needs to be improved, it needs to be clearer. If BEC finds that a candidate violates the law, it must have the tools to do something, not just warn and complain that the law was not respected," emphasized the president.
The president also stated that, on the other hand, there is a need for closer cooperation between authorities dealing with cyberspace, because we have these institutions and they cooperate institutionally, but in such situations, it is probably necessary for them to be closer to each other.
"It is a problem that needs to be discussed in the EU and common solutions need to be found, because no single country can solve these issues alone," emphasized the head of state.
When asked if he has a guarantee that there will be no interference in the next elections, the president said: "We have learned the lesson and I do not start from the premise that what happened the first time will be repeated. That's what I believe, I am convinced that everyone will be much more attentive and the next round of elections will take place under better transparency conditions."