At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, Vice President JD Vance took aim at Romania’s decision to scrap its 2024 presidential election, calling it a betrayal of democratic principles. “Friendship depends on shared values,” he said. “Canceling elections because you dislike the result? That’s not democracy.”
Romania’s Constitutional Court had nullified the vote after declassified documents alleged Russian interference in favor of nationalist candidate Călin Georgescu, a NATO skeptic. Moscow denied any involvement, but the decision sparked international controversy.
Vance’s rebuke wasn’t his first shot at Europe. Days earlier, at the Munich Security Conference, he criticized EU censorship, particularly former European Commissioner Thierry Breton’s response to Romania’s election annulment. He warned that similar moves could happen elsewhere, even in Germany, which was gearing up for its own snap elections.
French President Emmanuel Macron fired back, defending Romania’s ruling. He insisted their Supreme Court had uncovered clear Russian meddling through social media and vote-buying. “The real scandal isn’t the annulment—it’s Russia’s massive interference,” Macron argued, dismissing concerns about free speech.
The Venice Commission, a legal advisory body for the Council of Europe, also weighed in, raising doubts about the legitimacy of Romania’s decision.
Vance didn’t stop at Romania. He also took a swing at Germany, slamming its government for cracking down on online speech. “American taxpayers bankroll Germany’s defense,” he noted. “Do you think they’ll keep paying if people start getting jailed for mean tweets? No way.”
With tensions brewing between Washington and Brussels, Vance’s fiery rhetoric signals growing friction in the transatlantic alliance. As Europe and the US clash over democracy, free speech, and election integrity, the relationship faces a rough road ahead.
