Latest news with #Georgescu
Yomiuri Shimbun
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Social Media and Elections: Politics Today / Japan Needs to Prepare for Foreign Interference in Polls; Constitutional Reform Referendums a Likely Target
The Yomiuri Shimbun A collage of images taken at political gatherings This is the third and final installment in a series that examines how political parties understand and are dealing with the confusion caused by social media during elections. *** Loud cheers broke out among Romanian voters on the morning of May 18, when a presidential election candidate appeared at a polling station in the suburbs of Bucharest. But the focus of the attention on the day of the runoff for the country's presidential poll was not the candidate but the man standing next to him, Calin Georgescu. The venue was plunged into frenzy as excited supporters chanted 'President Georgescu!' Far-right, pro-Russian Georgescu came from nowhere to win the first round of an election in November last year, aided mostly by a flood of TikTok videos promoting his campaign. Through the short videos, Georgescu amassed support from people dissatisfied with the government. But the Romanian constitutional court annulled the election after intelligence authorities and others disclosed confidential documents revealing about 25,000 fake social media accounts with confirmed links to Georgescu's campaign and that about $380,000 (¥55 million) had been paid to more than 100 influencers involved in the propaganda activities. Russia's involvement was also suspected, leading to Georgescu being barred from running in the presidential election rerun held in May. While large-scale foreign interference in elections has not yet been confirmed in Japan, it is a growing possibility. 'Efforts to influence public opinion in Japan via the internet are being carried out. A Russian-linked news agency had been manipulating influencers and spreading posts using bots,' a former high-ranking government official said. While not providing details, the former official said that U.S. authorities informed Japan several years ago that it was a target of Russia's intervention in elections. Subsequent investigations found relevant pro-Russian activities online, and the situation was reported to the Prime Minister's Office. The threat is not limited to elections. In Britain, Russian or Iranian interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum was alleged. In Japan, referendums on constitutional reform could be a target. 'If their primary goal is to divide public opinion, referendums on constitutional reform serve as the perfect target,' said Keiro Kitagami, an independent member of the House of Representatives. 'Japan has been protected from such interventions thanks to the language barrier, but now that translation systems have become so sophisticated, we need to be aware of the danger.' Constitutional amendment being freely and openly debated on both sides is desirable. It is common knowledge among political parties that the expression of opinions should be 'as free as possible with minimal restriction.' However, such lax regulations and a high possibility of intense debate on the issue leave a lot of room for foreign forces to exploit the situation. Concerns were raised at a meeting of the House of Representatives' Commission on the Constitution on April 10, where the issue of how to deal with false and misleading information on social media in the event of a national referendum was discussed. Many participants said it is important to strengthen fact-checking measures. 'We must resolutely prevent foreign forces from interfering in referendums through fake news,' said Keishi Abe of the Japan Innovation Party. At a meeting of the commission on May 22, J. F. Oberlin University Prof. Kazuhiro Taira said he expects the active involvement of the mass media in fact-checking efforts. He added that the efforts should be led by the private sector rather than public institutions. There are many other issues that need to be addressed, including measures to prevent the monetization of social media under the guise of election campaigns and placing more responsibility on platform operators. In order to safeguard the integrity of speech, the Diet has only just begun to move its heavy feet. (This series was written by Koichiro Shigematsu, Maki Sanbuichi, Takahito Higuchi and Yumiko Kurashige.)
Axios
31-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Vivodyne raises $40M for human tissue drug testing
Vivodyne, a San Francisco-based startup using lab-grown human tissues to discover and develop drugs, raised $40 million in a Series A led by Khosla Ventures. Why it matters: Vivodyne says demand is "surging" from pharma clients following the FDA's announced plans to "phase out" animal testing requirements in drug development. Follow the money: New investors include Lingotto Investment Management, Helena Capital and Fortius Ventures. Existing investors Kairos Ventures, CS Ventures, Bison Ventures and MBX Capital also participated. Vivodyne has raised about $78 million to date, after a $38 million seed round in 2023. CEO Andrei Georgescu wouldn't disclose Vivodyne's valuation but said it grew significantly with the Series A. How it works: Vivodyne is using automated robotic platforms and AI to grow thousands of lab-grown, fully functional human tissues and produce data to discover and develop drugs. The pre-clinical technology is designed to be used in lieu of animal testing, and Vivodyne says its platform can improve the success rate in human trials. The platform can produce human bone marrow, lymph nodes, liver and other organs, and model diseases, including cancer, fibrosis, autoimmunity and infections. Zoom in: Top pharma companies are already testing drugs and therapies using Vivodyne's approach. "We are a partnerships company that spans the entire breadth of preclinical development," Georgescu says. The company, which employs about 40 people, also has some of its own drug programs but Georgescu declined to share specific disease targets.
North Wales Chronicle
28-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Populist frontrunner in Romania's cancelled election to step back from politics
Mr Georgescu upended Romania's political landscape last November when he ran as an independent and unexpectedly surged to frontrunner in the first round of the presidential election, going from an obscure candidate to beating the incumbent prime minister. 'I choose to be a passive observer of public and social life,' the 63-year-old said in a video posted online late on Monday. 'I choose to remain outside any political party structure … I am not affiliated with any political group in any way.' Despite denying any wrongdoing, Mr Georgescu was barred from the tense election rerun held in May, won by pro-EU candidate Nicusor Dan, who was officially sworn in on Monday. Mr Dan, a mathematician and former Bucharest mayor, beat the hard-right nationalist George Simion, who became Mr Georgescu's nominal successor. Mr Georgescu said he had made his decision to take a step back following the conclusion of the presidential race, which for him indicated 'the sovereignist movement has come to a close'. 'Even though this political chapter has ended, I am convinced that the values and ideals we fought for together remain steadfast,' he said. 'My dear ones, I have always said that we would make history, not politics.' The outcome of Mr Georgescu's success in last year's chaotic election cycle sent shockwaves through Romania's political establishment. It also left many observers wondering how most local surveys had put him behind at least five other candidates. Despite what appeared to be a sprawling social media campaign promoting him, Mr Georgescu had declared zero campaign spending. A top Romanian court then made the unprecedented move to annul the election after allegations emerged of electoral violations and Russian interference. In February, prosecutors opened criminal proceedings against Mr Georgescu, accusing him of incitement to undermine the constitutional order, election campaign funding abuses, and founding or supporting fascist, racist, xenophobic, or antisemitic organisations, among other charges. On Tuesday, Mr Georgescu attended a hearing at a prosecutor's office in Bucharest, which said it was extending the criminal investigation against him due to remarks he made on primetime television earlier in May, which could allegedly be interpreted by the public as supporting ideas linked to fascist legionnaire figures from the 1930s and 1940s. Once a member of Mr Simion's hard-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, Mr Georgescu left the party in 2022 after a period of infighting. He was accused by colleagues of being pro-Russian and critical of Nato, the US-led military alliance to which Romania belongs. He sparked controversy for describing Romanian fascist and nationalist leaders from the 1930s and 1940s as national heroes. He has also praised Russian president Vladimir Putin in the past as 'a man who loves his country' and has questioned Ukraine's statehood, but he claims not to be pro-Russian. After Romania's decision to cancel the election last year, Mr Georgescu became a cause celebre among nationalists, with support coming from figures such as US vice president JD Vance and tech billionaire Elon Musk — who both criticised Romania for annulling the vote. Mr Georgescu has argued the election was 'cancelled illegally and unconstitutionally', and after he was barred from the May rerun, he accused the authorities of 'inventing evidence to justify the theft' of the elections. Earlier this year, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Bucharest in a show of support for Mr Georgescu, who cemented his status as a persecuted anti-system candidate, railing against a corrupt political class. 'I deeply understand what many of you have gone through: you suffered, you were harassed, humiliated, wronged, and marginalised,' Mr Georgescu said on Monday, adding that he might return to politics 'if a serious opportunity arises that could bring real benefits to Romania and the Romanian people'.
United News of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Romanian right-wing-leader and presidential contender Calin Georgescu steps down from politics
Bucharest, May 27 (UNI) Calin Georgescu, the once-surging right-wing presidential contender in Romanian elections, has announced he is stepping down from politics, months after being barred from running in the controversial 2025 presidential election. In a video message shared on social media, Georgescu said, 'The presidential elections have come to an end. With this in mind, I have decided to end my active participation in the political process, as I believe this stage of the sovereignty movement has come to a close.' He added that his decision was not a resignation, but 'a responsible choice,' and that he now intends to focus on his family, according to Politico. Georgescu's brief rise stunned the Romanian political establishment. In November 2024, he garnered 22.9% of the vote in the first round, catapulting him from political obscurity to national prominence. However, the Constitutional Court later annulled the result, citing credible evidence of foreign interference—reportedly involving Russian-backed influence campaigns on social media platforms such as TikTok. The court barred Georgescu, a vocal critic of the EU and NATO, from running in the rescheduled May 2025 election citing national security concerns over alleged fascist ideologies. The annulment sparked protests at home and condemnation abroad. High-profile figures including US Vice President JD Vance and billionaire Elon Musk accused Romanian authorities of suppressing the opposition. The presidency was eventually won in May 2025 by centrist Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan, who defeated George Simion, leader of the nationalist AUR party and a close political ally of Georgescu. Georgescu, who built a populist platform in Romania and was noted for both his nationalist stance, as well as his vocal criticism of the EU and NATO, had built a considerable voter base in the country, emerging as one of its most dominant political voices. Regarding his leave from politics, he said he has no plans to join another party or movement. But his message to supporters ended with a warning: 'If the rights of those who choose differently are violated, I'll return with a clear voice to defend democracy.' UNI ANV RN
The Advertiser
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Former far-right populist quits Romanian politics
Calin Georgescu, the controversial populist whose bid for Romania's presidency resulted in the annulment of an election in the European Union and NATO member country, has announced he is stepping away from political life. Georgescu upended Romania's political landscape in November when he ran as an independent and unexpectedly surged to frontrunner in the first round of the presidential election, going from an obscure candidate to beating the incumbent prime minister. "I choose to be a passive observer of public and social life," the 63-year-old said in a video posted online on Monday. "I choose to remain outside any political party structure ... I am not affiliated with any political group in any way." Despite denying any wrongdoing, Georgescu was barred from the tense election re-run held in May, won by pro-EU candidate Nicusor Dan, who was sworn in on Monday. Dan, a former Bucharest mayor, beat hard-right nationalist George Simion, who became Georgescu's nominal successor. Georgescu said he made his decision to take a step back following the conclusion of the presidential race, which for him indicated "the sovereignist movement has come to a close". "Even though this political chapter has ended, I am convinced that the values and ideals we fought for together remain steadfast," he said. The outcome of Georgescu's success in 2024's chaotic election cycle sent shock waves through Romania's political establishment. Despite what appeared to be a sprawling social media campaign promoting him, Georgescu had declared zero campaign spending. A top Romanian court then made the unprecedented move to annul the election after allegations emerged of electoral violations and Russian interference. He sparked controversy in the past for describing Romanian fascist and nationalist leaders from the 1930s and 1940s as national heroes. He has also previously praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as "a man who loves his country" and questioned Ukraine's statehood, but he claims not to be pro-Russian. In February, prosecutors opened criminal proceedings against Georgescu, accusing him of incitement to undermine the constitutional order, election campaign funding abuses, and founding or supporting fascist, racist, xenophobic, or anti-Semitic organisations, among other charges. Prosecutors in Bucharest on Tuesday said they were extending the criminal investigation against him after remarks he made on television earlier in May, which could be interpreted as supporting ideas linked to fascist legionnaire figures from the 1930s and 1940s. Calin Georgescu, the controversial populist whose bid for Romania's presidency resulted in the annulment of an election in the European Union and NATO member country, has announced he is stepping away from political life. Georgescu upended Romania's political landscape in November when he ran as an independent and unexpectedly surged to frontrunner in the first round of the presidential election, going from an obscure candidate to beating the incumbent prime minister. "I choose to be a passive observer of public and social life," the 63-year-old said in a video posted online on Monday. "I choose to remain outside any political party structure ... I am not affiliated with any political group in any way." Despite denying any wrongdoing, Georgescu was barred from the tense election re-run held in May, won by pro-EU candidate Nicusor Dan, who was sworn in on Monday. Dan, a former Bucharest mayor, beat hard-right nationalist George Simion, who became Georgescu's nominal successor. Georgescu said he made his decision to take a step back following the conclusion of the presidential race, which for him indicated "the sovereignist movement has come to a close". "Even though this political chapter has ended, I am convinced that the values and ideals we fought for together remain steadfast," he said. The outcome of Georgescu's success in 2024's chaotic election cycle sent shock waves through Romania's political establishment. Despite what appeared to be a sprawling social media campaign promoting him, Georgescu had declared zero campaign spending. A top Romanian court then made the unprecedented move to annul the election after allegations emerged of electoral violations and Russian interference. He sparked controversy in the past for describing Romanian fascist and nationalist leaders from the 1930s and 1940s as national heroes. He has also previously praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as "a man who loves his country" and questioned Ukraine's statehood, but he claims not to be pro-Russian. In February, prosecutors opened criminal proceedings against Georgescu, accusing him of incitement to undermine the constitutional order, election campaign funding abuses, and founding or supporting fascist, racist, xenophobic, or anti-Semitic organisations, among other charges. Prosecutors in Bucharest on Tuesday said they were extending the criminal investigation against him after remarks he made on television earlier in May, which could be interpreted as supporting ideas linked to fascist legionnaire figures from the 1930s and 1940s. Calin Georgescu, the controversial populist whose bid for Romania's presidency resulted in the annulment of an election in the European Union and NATO member country, has announced he is stepping away from political life. Georgescu upended Romania's political landscape in November when he ran as an independent and unexpectedly surged to frontrunner in the first round of the presidential election, going from an obscure candidate to beating the incumbent prime minister. "I choose to be a passive observer of public and social life," the 63-year-old said in a video posted online on Monday. "I choose to remain outside any political party structure ... I am not affiliated with any political group in any way." Despite denying any wrongdoing, Georgescu was barred from the tense election re-run held in May, won by pro-EU candidate Nicusor Dan, who was sworn in on Monday. Dan, a former Bucharest mayor, beat hard-right nationalist George Simion, who became Georgescu's nominal successor. Georgescu said he made his decision to take a step back following the conclusion of the presidential race, which for him indicated "the sovereignist movement has come to a close". "Even though this political chapter has ended, I am convinced that the values and ideals we fought for together remain steadfast," he said. The outcome of Georgescu's success in 2024's chaotic election cycle sent shock waves through Romania's political establishment. Despite what appeared to be a sprawling social media campaign promoting him, Georgescu had declared zero campaign spending. A top Romanian court then made the unprecedented move to annul the election after allegations emerged of electoral violations and Russian interference. He sparked controversy in the past for describing Romanian fascist and nationalist leaders from the 1930s and 1940s as national heroes. He has also previously praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as "a man who loves his country" and questioned Ukraine's statehood, but he claims not to be pro-Russian. In February, prosecutors opened criminal proceedings against Georgescu, accusing him of incitement to undermine the constitutional order, election campaign funding abuses, and founding or supporting fascist, racist, xenophobic, or anti-Semitic organisations, among other charges. Prosecutors in Bucharest on Tuesday said they were extending the criminal investigation against him after remarks he made on television earlier in May, which could be interpreted as supporting ideas linked to fascist legionnaire figures from the 1930s and 1940s. Calin Georgescu, the controversial populist whose bid for Romania's presidency resulted in the annulment of an election in the European Union and NATO member country, has announced he is stepping away from political life. Georgescu upended Romania's political landscape in November when he ran as an independent and unexpectedly surged to frontrunner in the first round of the presidential election, going from an obscure candidate to beating the incumbent prime minister. "I choose to be a passive observer of public and social life," the 63-year-old said in a video posted online on Monday. "I choose to remain outside any political party structure ... I am not affiliated with any political group in any way." Despite denying any wrongdoing, Georgescu was barred from the tense election re-run held in May, won by pro-EU candidate Nicusor Dan, who was sworn in on Monday. Dan, a former Bucharest mayor, beat hard-right nationalist George Simion, who became Georgescu's nominal successor. Georgescu said he made his decision to take a step back following the conclusion of the presidential race, which for him indicated "the sovereignist movement has come to a close". "Even though this political chapter has ended, I am convinced that the values and ideals we fought for together remain steadfast," he said. The outcome of Georgescu's success in 2024's chaotic election cycle sent shock waves through Romania's political establishment. Despite what appeared to be a sprawling social media campaign promoting him, Georgescu had declared zero campaign spending. A top Romanian court then made the unprecedented move to annul the election after allegations emerged of electoral violations and Russian interference. He sparked controversy in the past for describing Romanian fascist and nationalist leaders from the 1930s and 1940s as national heroes. He has also previously praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as "a man who loves his country" and questioned Ukraine's statehood, but he claims not to be pro-Russian. In February, prosecutors opened criminal proceedings against Georgescu, accusing him of incitement to undermine the constitutional order, election campaign funding abuses, and founding or supporting fascist, racist, xenophobic, or anti-Semitic organisations, among other charges. Prosecutors in Bucharest on Tuesday said they were extending the criminal investigation against him after remarks he made on television earlier in May, which could be interpreted as supporting ideas linked to fascist legionnaire figures from the 1930s and 1940s.
