The observation made by Tass, the main news agency of Russia, on the day of elections in Romania
The Public News Agency Tass, a media institution considered to be strictly controlled by the Kremlin, published a large analysis of the presidential elections in Romania on Sunday.
“All candidates, including the nationalist George Simion, adopt an unfriendly position towards Russia and condemn the special military operation” in Ukraine, writes Tass, in the material dedicated to the Romanian elections.
“They all use the Russian rhetoric in varying degrees and none of them has set a specific objective of normalizing relations with Russia. For all, Romania's foreign policy is based on Romania's belonging to the EU and NATO, and the attitude of Bucharest towards Russia is actually determined by Brussels and Washington,” adds TASS.
The Russian press agency believes that Lasconi speaks with the highest hardness about Russia, “essentially repeating the aggressive Western narrative about the conflict in Ukraine and Russia.”
Simion calls Russia a “geopolitical opponent”, but opposes Ukraine's support, Tass writes.
By contrast, for example, the Ukrainian press considers Simion “a pro-Russian radical.”
Tass also writes that Nicușor Dan and Victor Ponta do not exceed the limits defined by the EU and NATO, but that they have generally avoided making harsh remarks.
At the same time, the Russian News Agency claims that Antonescu “adopts a relatively rational position towards the general context” and cites in this sense a statement in which it pleads for a future normalization of Romania's relations with Russia.
“A flagrant violation of democratic norms”
In the analysis published on Sunday, Tass reminds of the annulment of the elections of 2024 and writes that “this was done under the pretext of illegal financing of Călin Georgescu's campaign, of some computer attacks on the digital infrastructure used in the electoral process and of a supposed, but unwanted Russian interference.”
The unprecedented movement, continues the Russian news agency, “caused a revolt in both Romania and abroad.”
“Many commentators have considered it a flagrant violation of democratic norms and even a coup designed to eliminate from the presidential race an uncomfortable and anti-system candidate, overturning all the calculations of Romanian political stablishing,” says Tass, who quotes in this context and the American vice-president JD Vance, with his criticism.
Nationalists and pro -European
Presenting the elections of the Romanians on the ballot, Tass makes a division between nationalists and pro-European and claims that George Simion is “the only pure-blooded nationalist between candidates”, reminding at the same time that his opponents accuse him of populism and chauvinism, extremism and isolationism.
The Russian news agency reminds of his relationship with Călin Georgescu and the fact that he was forbidden to access in Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.
Tass also writes about Victor Ponta, whom he considers “an experienced politician who, however, is often perceived as a chameleon and a political adventure.”
On the list of “Pro-European”, Tass observes Crin Antonescu, who says that “he was appointed unique candidate in the absence of a more colorful figure, but for the same reason he is perceived as a faceless candidate and does not generate much enthusiasm among the voters.”
About Nicușor Dan, Tass writes “has the reputation of an effective manager-technocrat, but he lacks the charisma”. The news agency claims that “Dan is still based mainly on the Union electorate for saving Romania, a party that, according to the press, is related to George Soros”.
Tass also writes that Elena Lasconi's rating was constantly decreasing, when the USR leadership decided to withdraw her support. “Observers write down serious gaps in its preparation, populist speeches and ardent feminism and do not give it too much chance of winning,” says the Russian News Agency.
