A recent IRES poll reveals that 67% of Romanians view the Romanian Constitutional Court’s decision to cancel the presidential elections as an “extremely bad” move. Over 63% of respondents indicated they had voted for Călin Georgescu in the now-canceled second round.
The cancellation has sparked widespread outrage, with Romanians expressing feelings of “anger” and “revolt.” The responsibility now falls on the Bucharest Court of Appeal, which will decide on December 30 whether to contest the cancellation, as the public eagerly watches.
The poll highlights the frustration felt toward the ruling PSD-PNL/Ciolacu-Ciuca coalition, which has faced significant backlash for attempting to reclaim its position despite being ousted by what was previously considered a free election. In the context of this political upheaval, 61% of Romanians believe that 2024 has been worse than 2023, with 57% feeling the same from an economic standpoint.
The cancellation of the elections has emerged as the defining event of 2024, with 28% of respondents naming it the most impactful moment. Other significant concerns include the war in Ukraine, political crises, and rising prices. Notably, the TVR coverage of the poll has been criticized for failing to emphasize the overwhelming 67% opposition to the decision, as well as for framing the issue with language that downplays Ukraine’s role, referring to it simply as “The war in Romania.”
IRES’s manipulation of the survey has also been called out, especially regarding its portrayal of Călin Georgescu’s electorate. The survey attempts to discredit Georgescu’s supporters by suggesting they have lower education levels compared to those supporting his opponent, Elena Lăsconi. Additionally, the survey fails to highlight the full scale of public discontent with the Constitutional Court’s controversial ruling, presenting a biased view by placing more weight on the minority that supports the decision.
Overall, the cancellation of the elections has ignited public outrage, and Romanians are voicing their concerns about the current political climate, with many hoping for swift justice from the upcoming legal ruling.
