On March 9, 2025, Matteo Salvini, the Italian Vice Premier and leader of the far-right Lega party, expressed his solidarity with Romanian citizens after the rejection of Calin Georgescu's candidacy for the presidency of Romania. Posting on X, Salvini criticized the decision made by Romania's Central Electoral Bureau (BEC), referring to it as "a European coup d'état reminiscent of Soviet style."
Salvini, known for his incendiary rhetoric, suggested the BEC's actions exemplified the suppression of democratic rights, claiming, "citizens are being robbed of the right to vote through this grave theft of democracy." He argued this was not merely about local politics but reflected broader European issues concerning democracy and governance.
Georgescu, who has been associated with isolationist theories and attempts to capture the Romanian presidency, continues to ignite controversy. Historian and expert Armand Goșu has suggested Georgescu does not stem from Russian origins but has connections to local Romanian intelligence services. Goșu explained, "Georgescu is more likely to have emerged from the Romanian services than from Russian influences. The significant issue lies within the Romanian military structures, including SIE (the External Intelligence Service)."
Salvini's comments come amid heightened political tensions across Europe. He referenced the program "ReArm Europe" recently proposed by Ursula von der Leyen, aimed at increasing defense spending due to the threat posed by Russia.
His statement continued: "First, they annul the elections they are about to lose with open ballots, then they arrest candidates, and eventually, they exclude them from running out of fear of losing." This strong condemnation reflects Salvini's call for the necessity to reform Europe, stating, "We need to refound Europe to protect democracy rather than 'rearm it.'" Despite his controversial views, his party is aligned with various extremist factions, including Viktor Orban and Marine Le Pen, diverging from the more moderate positions of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Georgescu's exclusion from candidacy has raised alarms among various political analysts. Goșu highlighted the need for reflecting on the influence of military structures within Romanian governance, referring to concerns over the 2024 coup attempt linked to militarized services untouched by the DIICOT investigations. He stated, "The planned coup we sensed last December was being prepared within military services, which have not been subjected to thorough investigations."
Goșu also suggested the likelihood of Georgescu's political maneuvers may emerge from cleaned records within the Army. He stated, "I suspect the Army has sanitized those files," indicating Georgescu's influences extend potentially beyond the past years.
Further complicate the narrative surrounding Georgescu's political aspirations is the involvement of mercenaries linked to Horațiu Potra, which Goșu asserted could not operate effectively without some form of collaboration with the Russian GRU. He warned, "Soldiers couldn’t reach Africa unchecked; agreements had to exist with the Russian military intelligence, particularly since combat zones are heavily controlled by Russian interests there."
With Romania's upcoming elections looming, Goșu predicted potential shifts within the government structure irrespective of the public’s voting preferences. He remarked, "After the elections, one group may be ousted, another will seize power without changes to the existing laws, and Romania will continue to solidify its status as what many may regard as a hybrid democracy—more aligned with Moscow than Berlin or Brussels."
This dichotomy of political positions between the Italian and Romanian leaders hints at regional power struggles as Europe confronts external threats and internal dissent. The views expressed by both Salvini and Goșu reflect the tense and often complex political climate currently at play, hinting at the challenges facing Romania's democracy and its relationships both within Europe and beyond.
During his recent comments, Salvini has reaffirmed his unyielding stance against perceived threats to democratic integrity, regardless of geographical borders. He appeals directly to voters, addressing their anxieties over their rights and representation. The discourse surrounding Georgescu’s candidacy—which has troubled many followers of Romanian politics—has sparked fierce debates on the legitimacy of elections and civil liberties.
Despite controversies and differing political alignments, figures like Salvini and Goșu appear to agree on one key point: the fragility of democracy and the ever-looming specter of influence—both foreign and domestic—that can undermine electoral processes and citizen rights.
Navigability through the treacherous political waters of Eastern and Southern Europe remains precarious; as countries like Romania engage with challenges to their democratic fabric, vigilance and discourse will be pivotal. The revelations and assertions made about Georgescu highlight the chaotic state of political affairs, pushing many to question what the future holds for electoral integrity and sovereignty.