CNSAS identified Alexandru Amititeloaie, a candidate for the Romanian Senate from the SOS România party, as a former collaborator of the Securitate, the communist-era secret police. Amititeloaie, who held the rank of captain and was head of the Counterintelligence Office, was involved in activities that suppressed fundamental human rights. The Court of Appeal in Bucharest confirmed his past collaboration in 2009. The law prohibits individuals who collaborated with the Securitate from running for public office if they violated human rights. CNSAS has not verified candidates born after December 22, 1973, as they are not required to declare any collaboration with the Securitate.

The Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP) has filed complaints with the Prosecutor's Office and Police regarding electoral posters allegedly placed without meeting legal requirements, specifically targeting Călin Georgescu's campaign, which declared zero expenses and income. AEP President Toni Greblă highlighted the need to identify the printing house, payment sources, and any financial connections to the political competitor. The AEP has also sought ANAF's assistance to investigate potential illegal payments to influencers promoting political campaigns. The issue of Georgescu's campaign finances is part of a request to annul the first round of presidential elections submitted to the Constitutional Court.

Donald Trump has appointed Keith Kellogg as a special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, emphasizing a strategy of 'peace through strength.' Kellogg's plan involves freezing current battle lines and pushing for negotiations, with potential consequences for Ukraine's NATO aspirations. The article highlights differing views on the conflict, with Russian officials warning against reduced US support for Ukraine and criticizing the Biden administration's actions. The appointment signals Trump's intent to address the conflict swiftly if re-elected, amid ongoing tensions and military escalations.

The article discusses the controversy surrounding TikTok's alleged influence on the Romanian presidential elections, with accusations of algorithm manipulation favoring candidate Călin Georgescu. ANCOM Vice President Pavel Popescu calls for TikTok's suspension in Romania, while the European Parliament summons TikTok's CEO for explanations. Concerns are raised about TikTok's compliance with the Digital Services Act, and the European Commission has launched an investigation. The article highlights the broader implications of digital platform influence on democratic processes in Europe.

The Romanian Orthodox Church, through its Holy Synod, has issued guidelines for its clergy regarding political involvement, emphasizing the need for political neutrality and non-involvement in partisan politics. Clergy are prohibited from engaging in political activities, joining political parties, or supporting candidates. The Church also advises political leaders not to recruit clergy for political purposes. The Church encourages citizens to make electoral choices based on the country's welfare and Christian values.

The article reports that three candidates in the first round of elections, including the winner Călin Georgescu, declared zero revenues for their election campaigns. Georgescu also reported zero expenses. The Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP) confirms that all candidates submitted their financial declarations in accordance with the law. The AEP will verify the financial reports and apply sanctions if any legal violations are found. The results of these checks and any sanctions will be published on the AEP's website.

Two candidates, Cristian Terheș and Sebastian-Constantin Popescu, have filed requests with Romania's Constitutional Court to annul the first round of the presidential elections, citing alleged fraud. Terheș accuses the USR party of continuing electoral propaganda illegally, potentially affecting the election outcome. Popescu claims that the results for Călin Georgescu were fraudulently obtained through an extensive online campaign. Both candidates received less than 1% of the votes. The Constitutional Court is set to review the cases, with the possibility of annulling the elections if fraud is proven.

The Romanian Auto Registry (RAR) has resumed its services after a technical incident caused a complete shutdown of its servers, affecting over 1,500 ITP stations nationwide. The incident, which occurred on November 21, was not due to a cyberattack. During the downtime, services were conducted offline, and RAR is now updating its system with the processed documents. Vehicle owners can now obtain inspection documents at authorized ITP stations.

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah has led to the return of displaced civilians to southern Lebanon. The agreement, seen as a major diplomatic achievement by the U.S., aims to end hostilities and ensure security in the region. The Lebanese Army will take control of the border area as Israeli forces withdraw over 60 days. Hezbollah, though weakened by Israeli strikes, claims it will emerge stronger. The U.S. and France will support UNIFIL in maintaining peace, while Israel remains vigilant against potential threats from Hezbollah and Iran. The ceasefire is part of broader efforts to stabilize the region, including in Gaza.

A bill in the Romanian Senate aims to grant insured patients the right to pain therapy as part of their healthcare services. The legislation, if passed, would include pain therapy among the rights to medical services for disease treatment, complication prevention, and recovery. The Ministry of Health and other institutions are tasked with developing strategies for pain management training and patient education. The bill has received a favorable opinion from the Senate Health Committee and will be voted on in the plenary session on April 29.