Romania slams Kremlin's statements in favor of far-right politician Calin Georgescu
<p>A country that failed to organize free elections over the past 20 years is not in a position to comment on democracy, the Romanian Foreign Ministry responded in a <a href="https://www.mae.ro/node/66503" rel="noopener" target="_blank">press release</a> to statements made by the Russian president's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, in defense of Romanian far-right politician Calin Georgescu and his ban on the presidential candidacy.</p>

<p>Peskov said that the ban on Calin Georgescu's candidacy in the presidential elections "calls into question the very legitimacy of the elections in Romania."</p>

<p>"This is a violation of all democratic norms in the center of Europe," said the Russian president's press secretary Dmitry Peskov at a briefing, according to Interfax. "Any elections that take place without him will be illegitimate," he added.</p>

<p>"Dmitri Peskov's statement is unacceptable but in line with the Russian Federation's systematic effort to manipulate and interfere with democratic processes in Romania," the Romanian Foreign Ministry (MAE) responded.</p>

<p>"Russia has not had free elections for almost 20 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;An aggressor state cannot give lessons in democracy.&nbsp;&nbsp;In Russia, the opposition does not have access to legal institutions and processes. Opponents are executed a few meters from the Kremlin.&nbsp;&nbsp;Romania has already responded directly to foreign interference by sending home those who were in contact with a paramilitary group (of Nazi origin) associated with a candidate, who was trying to overthrow the democratic constitutional order in Romania," the MAE statement states.</p>

<p><em>iulian@romania-insider.com</em></p>

<p><em>(Photo source: Inquam Photos/Octav Ganea)</em></p>