Donald Trump Jr. is expected in Bucharest on April 28th, six days before the Romanian presidential elections. His visit, part of an Eastern European tour, raises concerns about its potential influence on the elections. While the visit is framed as focused on economic cooperation, rumors suggest it aims to bolster conservative networks and the Trump family's business interests in the region.
Unlike in Hungary, where Trump Jr. met with the foreign minister, no meetings with Romanian political leaders are planned. However, Romanian media highlights Trump Jr.'s past support for nationalist candidate Calin Georgescu, fueling concerns about interference in the elections.
The article delves into the connection between Victor Ponta, a presidential candidate, and Sebastian Ghita, a media mogul who fled Romania for Serbia. Their relationship, rooted in ultra-conservative circles within the Social Democratic Party (PSD), is characterized by alleged corruption and attempts to control the judiciary. Ghita's media empire, Romania TV, is seen as a significant propaganda tool for Ponta's campaign. The article details their activities, including Ghita's alleged connections with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his dissemination of pro-Kremlin narratives after the start of the war in Ukraine.
The article suggests that Ponta, along with his allies, seeks a return to power by adopting a Trumpist rhetoric and attempting to align with the new US administration. There's concern that Ponta's success could also lead to his return to the PSD. The article concludes by noting the uncertainties of election predictions following the previous election's surprise results.