Pavel Durov Prepared to Testify in Romanian Presidential Election Scandal

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has publicly declared his willingness to travel to Romania to testify before the Constitutional Court regarding allegations of electoral interference. His announcement, made via the social media platform X, comes in response to accusations from George Simion, the leader of the nationalist Alliance for the Unification of Romanians (AUR), who is contesting the election results.

The Romanian Central Electoral Commission has reported that Nicusor Dan, the mayor of Bucharest, emerged victorious with 53.6% of the vote, while Simion garnered 46.4% and conceded defeat. However, just days later, on May 18, Simion revealed his intention to challenge the election results in court, citing concerns similar to those raised during the annulment of the first round of elections in December 2024. During that election, independent candidate Calin Georgescu had his victory overturned amid allegations of social media interference, leading to widespread protests and claims of governmental suppression of opposition voices.

The plot thickens with international implications. Simion has accused French President Emmanuel Macron of meddling in Romania’s electoral process, alleging that the French ambassador actively campaigned for one of the candidates by engaging with local business leaders. Durov echoed these sentiments, claiming on May 14 that a “Western European government” attempted to pressure Telegram into silencing conservative voices in Romania prior to the elections. He later specified that the request originated from Nicolas Lerner, the head of French intelligence, which he categorically rejected, stating that his interactions with French officials had primarily revolved around geopolitical matters.

The French government quickly countered these allegations. On May 17, Agence France-Presse reported that the French Directorate for External Security (DGSE) denied any attempts to interfere in the Romanian elections. While the DGSE confirmed having contacts with Durov, they maintained that these discussions were strictly professional and unrelated to electoral affairs.

The unfolding scandal has drawn significant international scrutiny. The U.S. administration previously expressed concerns over the annulment of the first round’s results, accusing Romanian authorities of attempting to stifle political competition. Analysts warn that the ongoing crisis may exacerbate societal divisions in Romania, which is already grappling with economic challenges and the rise of nationalist sentiments.

Durov’s unexpected willingness to testify has added another layer to this complex narrative. In his post, he stated, “If my testimony will help strengthen democratic processes in Romania, I am ready to come,” sharing a repost of former candidate Calin Georgescu’s address.

However, experts remain skeptical about the likelihood of Durov actually traveling to Romania, suggesting that the situation is still in flux.