Romania`s ranking in the Democracy Index was downgraded following the Constitutional Court`s controversial decision to annul the presidential elections. The ruling came after accusations of Russian interference, illicit social media tactics, and violations of campaign finance law.
Previously classified as a “flawed democracy``, Romania has now been reclassified as a “hybrid regime“, a category that blends democratic elements with authoritarian tendencies. The Democracy Index, which has been tracking global governance for decades, assesses countries based on five key factors: electoral processes and pluralism, government functionality, political participation, political culture, and civil liberties.
The annulment of the election, triggered by allegations of foreign interference and irregular campaign practices, significantly impacted Romania`s score. The country fell by 0.46 points to 5.99, dropping 12 places in the global ranking. Romania now joins Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and Ukraine as one of five hybrid regimes in the region. The overall assessment covers 167 countries, categorizing 36 as hybrid regimes, 71 as democracies (25 full and 46 flawed), and 60 as authoritarian states.
Public reaction to the court`s decision was mixed, with many expressing both outrage and relief. The ruling, described as “shaky“ due to lack of concrete evidence, pointed to social media influence as a decisive factor in the election outcome. The first round of voting has been dominated by anti-establishment candidates, surpassing those form the ruling parties, whose popularity had waned.
The EIU study criticized the extraordinary nature of the annulment, highlighting the unsubstantiated claims of Russian interference. It questioned the credibility of arguments suggesting that right-wing outsider, Călin Georgescu`s support stemmed from a TikTok campaign, especially given his primary voter base – older, rural citizens who mainly consume television news controlled by the ruling parties. Later reports suggested that the National Liberal Party (PNL) had actually funded the social media campaign backing Georgescu, a strategy that ultimately backfired. This revelation has further eroded public trust in political institutions.
Looking ahead, Romania`s ranking could decline further in 2025, depending on how the repeat presidential election unfolds and any additional revelations regarding the initial annulment. The EIU warns that government measure to alter electoral regulations and limit the success of anti-establishment candidates do not bode well for the country`s democratic future.
